Earlier this month, Shirley Bassey accused Charlotte Church of drinking too much for her age. Now, Charlotte hit back, declaring Monday, during an interview for a London station that Bassey, 68, is always drunk on champagne.

She fumes, "I don't know why she's always so nasty about me. I mean she's a bit wrinkly, isn't she? She has a cheek - she's always drinking champagne. She's always drunk. I go out once a week, I'm really not that excessive, so Shirley Bassey needs to shut up. I have met her, she was OK, but rude."

Charlotte Church's mother, Maria, was horrified when Bassey attacked her daughter's binge drinking and complained the 19-year-old "made a very bad choice moving into rock music".

She told Bassey to hold her tongue whenever she feels envious of younger, more successful musicians. "Shirley's just jealous of Charlotte's youth and success. She should put her hand over her mouth to stop herself talking like that.

She and Charlotte have met several times and Bassey has never had time for her - in fact she was downright rude. You'd think she'd be supportive of another Cardiff girl. My daughter is taking no notice."