EAST Anglian singing star Myleene Klass has re-launched her career with a mission to “bring down the barriers between pop and classical music”.The 25-year-old, who found fame when she joined made-for-TV pop group Hear'Say, is going back to her classical roots after signing a recording contract worth more than £1 million.

EAST Anglian singing star Myleene Klass has re-launched her career with a mission to “bring down the barriers between pop and classical music”.

The 25-year-old, who found fame when she joined made-for-TV pop group Hear'Say, is going back to her classical roots after signing a recording contract worth more than £1 million.

Myleene - who plays the piano, violin and harp - has landed a six-album deal with Universal Classics and music bosses hope she can help bridge the gap between the worlds of pop and classical.

The singer, from Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, made the final-line up of the band put together in TV talent hunt Popstars just over two years ago.

The group's debut single Pure and Simple sold 1.2 million copies and follow-up The Way To Your Love also hit number one, but sales dwindled and the public turned against the manufactured band, leading to their split in October last year.

Norfolk-born Myleene, who was classically educated and trained at the Royal Academy of Music, said: “Pop was great but with classical music I feel like I'm coming home. Classical music is all around us - on adverts, samples in pop music - and you probably don't even realise you like it.

“I would like to do well-known pieces but give them my own little edge. I like the idea that people can hum along to the melodies.

“I've got the classical influence but coming out of the band, I've got the contemporary feel too.”

The star's first album will be a classic piano album, including her singing and featuring well-known classical pieces and collaborations with other classical musicians.

She has already started recording tracks for the album - which will be out in the autumn - and said her dream is to work with singer Andrea Bocelli.

Her biggest influences are Rachmaninov, Beethoven and Mozart but Myleene admitted she wanted to change the face of classical music.

“I used to hate carrying my violin to school on orchestra day. It was like walking the green mile,” she said.

“I just want to make it accessible. I would like to keep it young and wear my jeans and clothes I feel comfortable in.”

Universal Classics is home to some of the greatest classical artists including Pavarotti, Bocelli and Leonard Bernstein.

Bill Holland, managing director of Universal Classics and Jazz, said: “Myleene is one of the greatest talents I've ever heard. Her mission is to eradicate the barriers between pop and classical music.”

Myleene said she decided halfway through her training at the Royal Academy that she would like to try pop music and joined Hear'Say after a stint on stage in the West End.

She admitted Hear'Say was the “biggest education of my life” and added: “I certainly found out who my friends were and I discovered what the power of fame and money can do.”

Myleene said she was still in touch with her former band members except Kym Marsh, who was first to quit the group in January last year amid reports of bitter rows.

The recording star also said she had been busy with DIY at the house she has moved into with latest boyfriend Graham Quinn in Tower Bridge, London.

Myleene and 29-year-old Quinn - Hear'Say's tour manager - have been together a year-and-a-half but had to keep their relationship a secret while the band was still together.