Catherine Zeta Jones is high-kicking her way to an Oscar nomination, according to one film critic who has seen her stage floor talent in Chicago.

The Swansea-born Hollywood star has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as a night-club singer and dancer in the film musical.

She's going to look so super in this film, but she's put a lot of years of hard work into it Hazel Johnson on Catherine Zeta Jones

Alan Morrison, reviews editor of Empire magazine, said: "Catherine Zeta Jones out kicks Renee Zellweger."

But Zeta Jones' former dance tutor claims the admiration and critical praise for the actress is based on the years of hard work she put in to learning the craft.

Morrison admits he is a fan of the musical Chicago which will just make it into the listings as 2002 film thanks to screenings in a London cinema from Christmas Day prior to its nationwide release in the new year.

He admits to being impressed by Zeta Jones' foot work.

He said: "I think she'll get herself an Oscar nomination."

His praise is just the latest being heaped on the Swansea-born actress who got her first break in the West End production of 42nd Street aged 17.

Catherine Zeta Jones started life as a dancer

In Chicago, she plays the role of Velma Kelley, a sensational nightclub singer who ends up on murderers' row when she shoots her adulterous husband.

Other cast members have already told of how impressed they are at her singing and dancing skills but her talent has come as no surprise to Hazel Johnson.

Mrs Johnson, 60, who is also from Swansea, taught Zeta Jones dance from the age of four to 17.

The pair have remained friends every since - Mrs Johnson and her husband Trevor attended Zeta Jones' showbiz wedding to Michael Douglas in New York two years ago.

A few weeks ago, at a 25-year reunion of the dance teacher's former students, the Hollywood star phoned from Bermuda - where the couple are thinking of raising their two children - to say thank you for teaching her to dance.

Chicago has been transformed once again for the big screen

Mrs Johnson told BBC Wales: "She was a very talented four-year-old and a very determined young lady.

"She was very hard working girl and obviously very determined to get everything right.

"She would rehearse and rehearse and if she was dancing with her partners they would have to work along with her otherwise she wasn't too happy about that.

"She made sure that everything was absolutely correct.

"She's going to look so super in this film, but she's put a lot of years of hard work into it."