A turbulent year for teenage singer Charlotte Church has continued after she failed to fly to the United States for an appearance.

The 16-year-old soprano from Cardiff was due to arrive in Atlanta on Thursday to turn on the city's Christmas lights.

Charlotte wasn't well enough to make that long transatlantic flight

Statement from azoffmusic

But the teenager did not board her flight at London's Gatwick Airport on Wednesday.

In a statement, the singer's American management said Church was suffering from flu and a ear infection.

Tour

She is due to start her 15-date tour of North America in Cincinnati on 3 December and is likely to fly to the United States in a few days time, accompanied by her mother, Maria.

In the meantime, she has returned to her parents' home in Cardiff to recuperate.

A statement from her Los Angeles management, azoffmusic, said: "Charlotte, over the past few days, has been suffering with an awful flu/ear infection.

'Cancelled'

"The reason Charlotte did not fly out to the US, was that she was feeling so ill, and felt that she wasn't well enough to make that long transatlantic flight to America, without her mother beside her.

"Charlotte was flying out early to turn on the Christmas lights in Atlanta, which has been cancelled, and will now be flying out in a few days time with her mother - who is going to be looking after her until Charlotte's tour starts on 3 December.

Turbulent

The illness is the latest incident in a turbulent year for the teenage superstar who first shot to fame in 1997 with a show-stealing performance on a TV talent show.

The 1998 release of Church's first album, Voice of an Angel, when she was aged just 12 catapulted the young soprano to superstardom on both sides of the Atlantic.

She sang for President Clinton and the Pope as well as finding time to pass seven GCSEs.

But problems appeared to mount for the singer this year after arguments with her mother over her relationship with her boyfriend, Steven Johnson.

Maria Church is said not to approve of part-time DJ Mr Johnson, 18.

The singer was too ill to board a US-bound flight

There were reports that Church had sacked her mother as manager, although the singer's publicists later denied that her mother had ever acted in that capacity.

There were also claims that Church had left the family home to move into Mr Johnson's flat.

The singer spoke about her feelings for Mr Johnson on the BBC's Parkinson show last weekend where she replaced the Duchess of York as a celebrity guest.

Boyfriend

Church told veteran presenter, Michael Parkinson: "There are so many parents who don't agree with their daughter's boyfriend, and I accept it because there are fantastic sides to fame and some downsides.

"The pressures sort of blow up my situation - it's not anything bad - I've got a boyfriend.

"My mum's worried for me - she's really protective, but I always said I would not let the press dictate how I live my life."

The forthcoming American tour was originally planned to have been Miss Church's first without her mother.

She will perform alongside Sound of Music stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in conjunction with the release of Miss Church's album, Prelude - The Best of Charlotte Church.