Shirley Bassey wears gold sequin gown and matching face mask to celebrate 70 years in show business

Singer brought a touch of glamour to coronavirus safety

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Dame Shirley Bassey has shared a photo of her wearing a gold sequin dress and matching face mask.

On Friday, the 83-year-old singer released the image, which was taken in Italy earlier this autumn, to mark 70 years in showbusiness.

The photo shows Dame Shirley standing in an ornate marble-filled room featuring Roman pillars, a chandelier and crittall windows that overlook a garden.

Wearing a full-length gold sequin gown with long sleeves and a sweeping train, the singer also put safety first for the shoot, completing the ensemble with a matching sequin face mask.

The golden ensemble was a nod to the James Bond Goldfinger movie for which Dame Shirley sang the famous theme song in 1964.

She first started singing as a teenager in her native Wales, performing in pubs and clubs while also working in a factory and in 2000 she was made a dame for her services to performing arts.

Speaking about her lengthy career, Dame Shirley said: "My new album is a celebration of 70 years in showbiz, 70 years of support from my fans and 70 years of music.

“I've trodden the boards of many stages and kicked up many a diamante heel.”

Dame Shirley is not the only celebrity to have been pictured wearing an elaborate face mask in recent months.

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Earlier this month, photos of Lana Del Rey emerged showing her wearing what appeared to be a mesh face mask at a surprise meet-and-greet with fans in LA.

The images prompted a backlash with some people criticising the singer’s use of a mesh mask as “irresponsible” and “a danger to herself and others”.

“Girl we're in the middle of a pandemic,” one fan wrote on Instagram.

LA county has asked that everyone wear a cloth face covering when interacting with people outside of their households, in both private and public spaces.

Other celebrities have publicly shared their thoughts on the importance of wearing a face covering, including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In June, the Terminator star accused anyone who made wearing face masks a “political issue” of being a “moron”.

“This is 100 percent the right move,” the Terminator actor wrote in a tweet after California governor Gavin Newsom made it mandatory for residents to wear face masks when in public spaces.

“This will help us beat this terrible virus. The science is unanimous — if we all wear masks, we slow down the spread and can reopen safely.”

Schwarzenegger continued: “It’s not a political issue. Anyone making it a political issue is an absolute moron who can’t read.”

In the UK, people are currently required to wear a face covering in shops, supermarkets and on public transport.

People in hospitality venues are also required to wear a mask when they are not eating or drinking, such as walking to their table or the toilet.

You can read more about the places you are required to wear a covering here.