K-T Impact, the geological event that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, inspired Kate Victoria Tunstall to become KT Tunstall.

The Scottish singer felt it was much cooler than plain Kate.

"Kate makes me think of a buxom lass baking bread for her man working in the fields, I have no problem with that, but it is not really how I pictured being a rock star,'' said KT.

The singer who shot to fame with Black Horse And The Cherry Tree in 2004 is heading for Swindon at the end of this month joining Simple Minds and Chrissie Hynds and The Pretenders on their Grandslam 2018 tour.

KT's dad was a physics lecturer at the University St Andrew's and her debut album Eye To The Telescope was based on her memories of her father's laboratory and the scientific equipment.

Several hits followed and nominations for the Mercury prize, Brit and Grammy awards and Ivor Novello gongs.

KT has written a number of soundtracks for feature films: The Kid, Winter's Tale, Million Dollar Arm, and Tinker Bell and The Legend of the NeverBeast.

Her hit song, Suddenly I See, won KT an Ivor Novello Award in 2006 and was featured in films and TV programmes such as The Devil Wears Prada, Blind Dating, Ugly Betty, Gray's Anatomy, Love Rosie and Thrilleville.

The catchy track was also used as a campaign song for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.

KT grew up in Fife but spent her last year of schooling in America. She spent time busking in Vermont when she was at a commune there.

She performed on Later With Jools Holland, having only 24 hours notice as one of his booked acts had pulled out. This was shortly after Eye To The Telescope shot to number 3 in the British charts.

KT will be performing at Lydiard Park on Friday, August 31. For tickets or more details visit

https://www.lydiardpark.org.uk/events/Pages/Grandslam-2018.aspx - Flicky Harrison