Classical singer reminds listeners what it is like to be a child with her second debut album, already tipped to hit number one.

Loughton-born singer Joanna Forest's second album 'The Rhythm of Life' has gone straight to number one in the pre-orders on iTunes and number two on Amazon, and is being tipped as a number one classical album when it is released in March.

Mrs Forest became famous in 2017 when she became the first independent artist to go straight to number one in the official classical album charts with a debut album.

She said: "I am beyond excited to share 'The Rhythm of Life' with the world. This album has been an absolute joy to make and I hope that crossover fans and families enjoy listening to it as much as I did singing it. Singing has been my life, many of these songs formed part of my own younger years and bring back such warm memories of my own childhood and listening to music with my parents.

"It has been proven that music has a positive effect on child development, it was this that really helped to inspire the album. To be able to be part of a child and families musical memories is really special. As one of the songs on the album says, "I'd like to teach the world to sing", and I am striving to achieve that with this album."

The album was created to take listeners on a musical story-telling journey through a typical day of a child.

It includes tracks such as 'When You Wish Upon a Star', 'Let's Go Fly a Kite' and 'Because We Believe'.

Each track on the chart is accompanied by an illustration drawn by animator and Disney illustrator Gary Andrews representing a moment of time in the day of a child.

He said: "It was a pleasure to illustrate the twelve tracks on this album, listening to the songs, Joanna’s voice and concept for the album made it a delight to draw. As a recently widowed father of two young children, the songs had a particular resonance for me and reminded me of of times my wife and I spent with our children and the music we’d listen to. It’s brilliant that the album has the ‘family’ at the heart of it, it will appeal to all ages and bring back many memories for all."

The album also features crossover artist Paul Potts, children's presenter Andy Day,the Arts Symphonic Orchestra, Arts Voices which feature the country’s top choral singers and musical theatre professionals, and children’s choir All the Arts Theatre School.

Paul Potts said: "I first had the pleasure of working with Joanna at the Coppafeel fundraising gala at the Palace Theatre in the West End a few years ago. We developed a good rapport and great singing chemistry so I was ecstatic when Joanna approached me to duet with her on her latest album.

"Her voice has a very warm glow to it so I think our track, Because We Believe suits us both really well. It’s a great piece of music and we had great fun recording it. Music is a very powerful medium that transcends borders, class, language and time. I truly hope that her album is a lesson in how this is so true. I am very proud to be part of it and I hope that everyone loves our version of Because We Believe."

The Rhymth of Life album will be release on March 22.