Cerys Matthews is one of the great fun women of the moment, with a lot of presence - you can't take your eyes off her

Mark Frith, magazine editor

The interview on ITV was aired on the pair's SM:TV show on Satruday morning and will be repeated on Sunday.

Music experts have said that the Prince's disclosure comes as no surprise.

Mark Frith, editor of Heat magazine, said: "Although Prince Charles is in his 50s, it isn't surprising he is a fan.

"Catatonia have got very catchy records and a lot of energy.

"Cerys Matthews is one of the great fun women of the moment, with a lot of presence - you can't take your eyes off her."

Although Catatonia have been performing for 10 years, it took until 1998 to reach the top 10, with hits including and Mulder and Scully and Road Rage.

In 1999, Cerys teamed up with Tom Jones to record a Christmas single Baby It's Cold Outside, and their sexy duet won rave reviews when they performed on An Audience With Tom Jones.

The Prince invited Ant and Dec to his Gloucestershire home ahead of Sunday's Party in the Park concert in aid of the Prince's Trust.

The interview is seen as an attempt to connect with the youth market to promote his charity, which works with young people.

It came on the same day Charles said, in a newspaper interview, that he could not rule out marrying Camilla Parker Bowles in future.

Prince Charles's office at St James's Palace said the chat with Ant and Dec, who have a wide appeal with both children and adults, coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Prince's Trust.