Isn't it every little girl's dream to star in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, appear on prime-time television and be recognised everywhere you go? For British TV star, Ashley Russell, that dream has become a reality.
It's been a life changing year for the actress. A week after quitting her job in a call centre, the 24-year-old got her big break when she got a call from the BBC telling her she'd made it onto musical theatre's version of American Idol -I'd Do Anything.
The next few weeks were a roller coaster ride of mixed emotions, blazing glory and bitter disappointments. Her picture's been splashed across the papers, she's met Hollywood's biggest A-listers and been recognised by fans around the world.
With star judges including Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV personalities Denise Van Outen, Barry Humphries and John Barrowman and host Graham Norton, I'd Do Anything set out to find the best singer in Britain to tread the boards as Nancy in Webber's West End musical Oliver.
Nicknamed "joker Nancy" by fellow contestants, Russell -a flame haired Scott -drew a series of interesting comparisons -and found it especially amusing to be described as "an attractive looking Fergie" by judge, Barry Humphries.
"I can't see it myself," she laughed at her comparison to the UK royal. "I've been called better, but it could be worse. I always fancied being royalty so maybe that's what it means -I have a regal stature."
Singing in front of a score of high-profile celebs was no mean feat. Every Saturday night, as eight million television viewers tuned in, Russell sang her heart out to an impressive array of hits in the hope of convincing Webber he'd found his next muse.
It was a daunting experience.
"He was quite fierce on the show," said Russell of Webber. "But once you got to know him he was a real softy."
It was that same soft spot that compelled Webber to pick Russell to stay in the show when she was almost voted off in the fifth week.
"He saved me but that week was hard. If you're in the sing-off -in the bottom two -you've really got to fight to get the public back on your side and prove to Andrew that he made the right choice to save you. It's a lot to deal with mentally. He didn't often like to show that he liked you but he was actually really nice. He's a good guy."
It's a relationship that has stood Russell in good stead. Although she didn't make it to the finals, she was picked by Webber to star in a new West End show called Phantom 2.
Mischief makers
In true reality TV style, contestants lived together for the duration of I'd Do Anything -opportunity for the growth of a real Big Brother-style comradeship. When contestants were voted off the show there were often tears.
"My best friend in the show was actually Jodie, the girl who won," says Russell. "After I was voted off, we did concerts all around the UK and I was really canvassing for her, so she owes me big time," she laughed.
It wasn't just the contestants who hit it off. Judge John Barrowman provided hours of entertainment.
"He's was my favourite judge on the show," said Russell. "He's also from Scotland and got into all sorts of mischief -like mooning everyone during a boat trip.
"We all got on really well. We're all still in touch. The finals were on Saturday so we all appeared on the show again for that."
With the show all wrapped up, Russell took the opportunity to holiday in Dubai and visit her mother who's been living in the UAE for the past 15 months.
A couple of days into her visit she was surprised to be recognised by fans so far from home.
"It's funny because even in Dubai I met a girl who came up to me and asked 'are you Ashley Russell?' She could tell me everything about what I wore and sang in the show -better than I could remember it myself."
Another fan -somewhat closer to home -was Russell's 75-year-old grandmother who travelled down from Scotland every Saturday to watch the show live.
"She was loving it and became quite a celebrity herself," said Russell. "She travelled down from Scotland every week but the BBC really looked after her."
And what's next for Russell?
"Since the end of the show, I've been offered all sorts of opportunities, including presenting a morning chat show on TV," she said. "Hopefully the opportunities will just keep coming in. I'll take them all on board because I've waited a while for something like this to come along."
Ashley on Dubai
I come to Dubai at every opportunity. There are fantastic theatres here now and many international tours come here now too. It's growing both as a city and also in the arts which is great.
There's a nice mix of people from all over the world here in Dubai. It's a little too hot to go to the beach right now but I love the brunches and the shopping -going to the souqs doing a bit of bartering.
Ashley's tips for making it on stage
You don't get anything for nothing. People say that you just need to be lucky but I truly believe that luck only happens when hard work meets with opportunity.
I also teach drama to kids, so I'd recommend to go along to your local drama groups. You go along to have fun but you're also building the tool box of information you can use while performing.
I also did an acting degree and a masters degree in musical theatre and I believe good institution really puts you on the right footing. There's now a film academy in Abu Dhabi which is a great opportunity for people out here.
High notes
It was great getting to go to fancy premiers. I've met George Clooney, Celine Dion, the Bee Gees -I shared a box with the Bee Gees at a theatre -I also met Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher.
My favourite moment was getting to have a centre spread in Hello! magazine. I love that magazine and to actually be in it was fantastic. We were dressed in fantastic ball gowns. It's the weirdest thing to be holding a magazine and seeing yourself in it and in the papers.
Low moments
Being in the sing-off before you leave the show was a hard moment. It takes real strength of character. Looking back, there were moments when I thought 'Oh my gosh, how did you manage to do it?'
But I think when you've got to do something, you've just got to get on with it. In retrospect I look back and think that was far more difficult than I thought at the time.
