Big Spender Arrives In Style For World Cup
From Western Mail, by Karen Price, Sep 30 1999
Shirley Bassey arrived in Cardiff last night ready to start rehearsals
today for the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony.
And the international superstar, who grew up in Tiger Bay, predicted
that Wales would do well in the tournament.
Miss Bassey said she was pleased to have returned to her home city and
was looking forward to performing World In
Union with Bryn Terfel at the
Millennium Stadium tomorrow before Wales play Argentina in the first game
of the tournament.
"I have been looking forward to coming here but I can't stay too long
as I am on a tight schedule," said Miss Bassey.
When asked whether Wales would perform well in the World Cup, she said,
"Yes, they have to do well."
Miss Bassey's silver tour bus pulled into the grounds of the new Hilton
Hotel more than two hours behind schedule after it was held up in traffic
on the M4.
She emerged from the bus five minutes after it arrived wearing a white
jacket, leopard print scarf, dark glasses and a brimmed hat.
She was handed a bouquet of
flowers and greeted by the hotel's managers.
Miss Bassey is staying in the hotel's presidential suite, which costs £650
a night.
Guests staying in the suite are also entitled to use the hotel's executive
lounge, which graces the top floor.
Among the other stars performing in tomorrow's opening ceremony, which
will be attended by the Prince of Wales, are Catatonia, Max Boyce, Michael
Ball and Ladysmith Black Mombazo.