Welsh diva Shirley Bassey has been made a Dame in the New Year's honours list.

The big-voiced girl from Cardiff became an international star in the 1960s.

She is best known for the dramatic Bond theme Goldfinger and her hit Big Spender.

The 61-year-old star had her first Number One hit with As I Love You in January 1959.

More recently she sang at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup at the Millennium Stadium in her home town.

She also recorded the World Cup theme with opera singer Bryn Terfel.

Last month she unveiled her wax double at the famous Madame Tussaud's waxworks in London.

She was born Shirley Veronica Bassey on January 8, 1937, the youngest of seven children.

Vocal talents

She grew up in Cardiff, the daughter of a ship's fireman, Henry Bassey, and his wife Eliza Jane.

In 1952, Shirley left school to work in the packing department of a sausage factory, all the while singing at local clubs.

It was not long before Shirley turned professional, and even though she quit show business to become a waitress, her talent would not be ignored.

In 1955, Shirley appeared at the Astor Club in London, and the world began to take notice of her vocal talents.

'Disco diva'

Her first single was Burn My Candle, but her first real hit was Banana Boat Song, while her debut album, Born to Sing the Blues, was released in 1958.

Shirley's first big international hit was 1964's Goldfinger, the theme for a James Bond film.

In 1998, this seemingly ageless grandmother became a 'disco diva', with the release of History Repeating, performed with The Propellerheads.

She is due to launch a series of concerts on the internet late in 2000.