Ashley Roberts has told how her stint on Strictly Come Dancing gave her the “boost” she needed to make her West End debut.
The 37-year-old former Pussycat Doll revealed to A-List she will take over the role of Dawn in Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre from next month.
The star said making it the final of Strictly in December - when she became the highest scoring contestant in the show’s history with an average of 36.9 - rekindled her love of performing.
She said: “I was coming off the back of Strictly, which gave me that boost again for wanting to go out there and perform. I thought, ‘Maybe I would love to do theatre now - I’m 37 years old, I’ve never done it before - why not?’ It’s a really exciting creative challenge.
“[Waitress producer] David [Berley] came to watch an episode of Strictly and spoke to me there and said, ‘Would you ever want to do theatre or musical?’ And I said, ‘Actually, I’m feeling like I want to’.
“He invited me to see Waitress. I didn’t know much about it and had no expectations, and I was just so blown away, It’s so funny, The script is amazing, the comedic timing, and then the music from Sarah [Bareilles] is fantastic. I really wanted to be part of the show.”
Roberts has extensive stage experience from her time in the Pussycat Dolls, but confessed she has not appeared in a musical since she was eight.
She added: “Honestly, I’ve never been a real musical buff. I loved the big ones like Chicago but wasn’t heavily really involved in the musical scene.
“The only thing I’ve ever done was Oliver Twist when I was eight - a long time ago and not necessarily at this capacity! I was in Fagin’s gang.”
The US star now calls the UK her home after moving here in 2012, and recently confirmed her relationship with Strictly professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.
She said: “I’m proud to say I’ve been fully adopted by the Brits. This country has given me so many amazing friendships and gifts. I speak a hybrid lingo of American and English slang, I drink PG Tips every morning and I love my Sunday roasts.
“I am very happy at the moment and it is so nice to be able to say that. I have amazing friends, an amazing boyfriend and I’m feeling very grateful at the moment.”
Roberts will begin her run on 17 June, with former X Factor singer Lucie Jones taking over from Katherine McPhee in the lead role of Jenna - the waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage.
