Jorgie Porter rose to fame playing Theresa McQueen in Channel 4 drama Hollyoaks, before skating to success as a contestant on ITV's Dancing on Ice.
Now she is covering new ground with her first role on the stage, although she will be right at home starring in Fame - The Musical, writes Sammy Jones.
"It's a young girl's life in the world of wanting to make it and be famous," she says explaining her character, ballerina Iris Kelly, "It's quite similar to what I went though!" she laughs.
"I spent three years in the Hammond Dance School in Chester dancing every day. You would be in the common room and there would be a trumpet going off, and drums, and everyone would be singing.
"So this is literally like when I was 16-years-old. It's really weird!"
Fame made an impact on Jorgie from an early age. She remembers going to her local church for dance lessons as a tiny girl, and Fame was one of the tracks that left an indelible mark on her.
"Those lessons were where I found my love of dance," she recalls, "I would jump up and do the star jumps at the beginning of Fame!
"Fame gets your heart going because the music is just so incredible."
Jorgie's acting ability is well-known after her small screen success but. panto aside, theatre is a new challenge for her, and even she had a few doubts about this role: "I get really nervous," she admits, "I think everyone does when you get a new job, and you think 'I'm not good enough,' but eventually those nerves become excitement and adrenalin and every single show becomes hyped.”
And she is dedicated to this new show which has been occupying her time since last year: “I don't want to get crazy trying to take on other things,” says the in-demand actress and model.
“This is something I want to give my all to.”
Jorgie, who stars alongside singer Mica Paris and Keith Jack in the 30th Anniversary tour of Fame, based of course on the iconic pop culture film, is thrilled to be working with such a talented cast: "They are incredible, so impressive, and they are all fresh from graduating and can learn things so quickly.
“I'm one of the oldest, which is freaking me out!" she says with a giggle.
The bubbly blonde, who has turned heads as an FHM cover girl (no fewer than five times), has also made the FHM Sexiest Women list.
She is taut and trim, and disciplined, which keeps her looking fab: "If you are doing a stage show, you can't really fit pizza in when your partner is lifting you so much!" she laughs, "You adapt to what goes on and you get fit doing the job, really, which is a great buzz.
"I am a very active person too," she admits, "If I wake up in the morning and haven't done a 20 minute run on the treadmill, I'll feel like I have got too much energy."
But Fame rehearsals pushed Jorgie to new fitness levels – and she has suffered for her art: "At the end of the day I couldn't physically move and my feet were bleeding," she said.
Jorgie might be bright and bubbly, but she is every bit as dedicated as she is delightful. And she is ready to meet any negativity head on: "I love it when someone has a negative opinion," she says, ready to prove anyone wrong, "I've grown up with that, and thrive on it."
And right now, she is in her element - singing and acting daily with a terrific cast and a script to match: "There is so much depth in this production. There is a lot of shocking things, and lots of subjects that are being touched on.
"The cast is super," she says again, "I get goosebumps every time some of these kids sing, and I feel so lucky to be a part of something that feels so great."
Fame comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from June 24-29. To book tickets click here
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