A Winchester care home resident had her birthday wish come true when she met her favourite operatic pop stars.

Olwen Davies, who lives at Colten Care's St Catherine's View, had her birthday wish granted when she saw Il Divo perform live and met them backstage.

Olwen told carers that she loved male vocal groups, especially the globally renowned Il Divo.

When the home's companionship team leader, Laura Sheldrake, heard of Olwen's wish and knew her 99th birthday was approaching, she arranged tickets for the group's 20th anniversary tour show at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).

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 St Catherine's View resident Olwen Davies watching Il Divo (Image: St Catherine's View)Il Divo's management team spoke with Laura and promised to make the occasion special for Olwen.

Laura kept the surprise under wraps until she, Olwen, and Olwen's daughter Jennifer arrived at the BIC, where they were invited to meet all four members of Il Divo before the show.

Olwen was thrilled as French tenor Sébastien Izambard, Swiss tenor Urs Bühler, American baritone Steven LaBrie, and American tenor David Miller gathered around her.

Dressed in their trademark Giorgio Armani suits, they chatted and posed for a photo with Olwen before going on stage.

Olwen said: "This was such a surprise. I am so happy, they are good looking and have wonderful voices."

After the 80-mile round trip, Jennifer wrote a thank-you note to St Catherine's View, praising Laura for arranging an "epic day out for mum" and "thinking of everything".

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Jennifer said: "Her organisation was impeccable, from the initial idea to the arrival back at St Caths at that very late hour.

"Laura worked so hard. She remained tuned to mum the whole time and knew exactly when reassurance, humour and support were needed.

"Our gratitude is beyond expression."

To break up the journey time for Olwen, Laura arranged for the party to call in at Colten Care’s Bournemouth care home Avon Cliff, just a mile and a half from the BIC, for supper.

Laura said: "We were warmly welcomed there on our detour, had a lovely meal and then went on our way again for the five-minute trip to the show.

"On arrival, Olwen couldn’t believe that not only was she going to watch Il Divo live, she was going to meet them too.

"When we went backstage they were all very happy and chatty with Olwen and only too pleased to pose for a picture with her."

Laura added: "The show was brilliant and Olwen could not stop smiling.

"The trip was made even more special with Jennifer joining us for the evening."