JULIE ROBERTS was a talented singer, song-writer and music teacher who delighted audiences over a successful career spanning two decades. Then back in the 90s, a chance decision to recreate the unique sound of the late, great music idol Karen Carpenter served to change her life forever.

Julie didn’t simply emulate Karen Carpenter – she became the troubled female half of the brother and sister duo who rocketed onto the pop scene of the 1970s. Audiences were stunned by Julie’s effortless ability to replicate the sound of the sixties/seventies singing sensation.

But they were also intrigued by the way she dressed and managed to adopt the look of the American star even taking on the mannerisms and gestures of the tragic singer who met an early death in 1983.

The Karen Carpenter effect even had an impact on Julie’s private life off-stage. She dreamed about Karen and experienced visions and felt her presense.  She eventually began to suffer the symptoms of anorexia, the condition that would ultimately rob Karen of her life.

“I was touched by the spirit of Karen Carpenter,” said Julie, who comes from a spiritualist background. “It took me five years to fight back to health but I was strong enough to re-take control of my life.”

Now Julie is re-launching her Karen Carpenter tribute act but this is now a performance with a mission. She intends to use her new career to raise the profile of anorexia in memory of Karen.

“I still feel close to Karen,” said Julie. “And I am sure she would approve. But I also feel in total control.”