Michelle McManus nervous ahead of Robbie Williams duet

Singer Michelle McManus says she is more nervous to perform with Robbie Williams than she was to sing in front of the Pope.

The Pop Idol winner, who presents the Afternoon Show on BBC Radio Scotland, will duet with Williams at Murrayfield on Saturday on the first night of his Britpop tour.

The Angels singer surprised McManus on her radio show with the invitation to join him on stage.

McManus said it was “really lovely” and “symbolic” to be invited to perform with Robbie 22 years into her career.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme, the Scottish singer said she was nervous but excited to perform in front of a home crowd.

She said: “My happy place is when I sing, so the singing part is not the problem, the nervous part is singing to Robbie Williams in front of 70,000 people.

“When we did the pope’s visit in Bellahouston it was 80,000 – but singing for a bunch of cardinals and a Pope was slightly different than singing for Robbie Williams.”

In the two decades since she shot to fame on talent contest, Pop Idol, McManus has played gigs including the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Pope Benedict’s visit to Glasgow in 2010.

She said: “I’m at a stage in my life now, I’m 45, I’ve got my two kids, I’m so lucky to be here at BBC Radio Scotland.

“Everything is in place and then comes this big gig at Murrayfield which was not on my bingo card for this year.

“It’s really emotional to be asked by somebody who is your friend to join them on stage, it is a lovely thing.”

Williams is on a five-month tour of the UK and Europe, performing hit including Let Me Entertain You, Angels and She’s the One.

He has previously duetted with Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Taylor Swift – a list that McManus can now add her name too.

McManus and Williams became acquainted in the early 2000s when he gave her advice on handling fame and the press.

Their friendship continued through the years, with Michelle recently attending the premiere of his film biopic Better Man.

Details of their Saturday performance are under wraps, with Michelle keeping quiet about the chosen song.

But she did reveal her outfit features 40,000 Swarovski crystals.

“I’m never going to take it off. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever had on my body,” she said.

“You will not need to worry about seeing me from the stage, from the colour of my hair and the amount of crystals.”