CHARLOTTE CHURCH - CHURCH ASKS USHER FOR HELP WITH POP ALBUM

Teen soprano CHARLOTTE CHURCH is so keen to thrill fans and silence skeptics with her forthcoming pop album, she has turned to R+B star USHER for advice.

The 18-year-old Welsh opera singer is currently putting the finishing touches to her debut disc of contemporary music and was pleased to spot Usher during a recent night out at London club BOUJIS.

But shy Charlotte asked her mother MARIA to approach the American superstar, who obviously impressed Usher as he invited Charlotte to his exclusive party the next night.

An insider tells British newspaper DAILY STAR, "Charlotte's obviously very nervous about the reaction people will have to her singing pop and R+B so she wants to make sure she gets it right.

"She was at Boujis last week (ends25JUN04) when Usher turned up and she's a massive fan.

"But she thought it would be really uncool to go up and start speaking to him about her own music, so she got her mum to approach his group and swap telephone numbers with him."

"Charlotte wants his opinion on a couple of her more soulful songs.

"She didn't ask for his number because she fancies him or anything."