Wizard of Oz star Sophie Evans to take centre stage

Actress reveals the moment she went from runner-up to winner in Wizard of Oz competition.

Sophie Evans has told of the phone call from Andrew Lloyd Webber that changed her life for ever.

The Welsh singer came second in Over The Rainbow, the BBC series hunting for a Dorothy for the West End run of The Wizard Of Oz.

“I thought when I was runner-up that was the end but then I got a call from Andrew saying he wanted to put me through drama college,” Sophie told The Sunday Post.

“I also got to be an alternate, doing one show a week. But after doing that for a year I got the lead full time at the London Palladium.

“The funny thing was that about a year before my mum was saying I needed to get a job to start earning pocket money.

“She said, ‘Andrew Lloyd Webber’s not going to come knocking at the door’. Well he didn’t quite knock on my door . . .”

Now only 20 Sophie can’t quite believe the amazing list of things she’s done, including performing at London’s Albert Hall and landing a part in Simon Pegg’s movie World’s End.

“I’d never been on a film set before and I hadn’t a clue what it was going to be like,” says Sophie.

“The work that goes into making a film was unbelievable but I’ve definitely got the bug now.”

Sophie’s back with her first love of singing later this month with the start of a major UK tour of Irving Berlin Rags To Riches.

It’s a celebration of the 125th anniversary of the man whose amazing catalogue includes White Christmas, Let’s Face The Music And Dance, Cheek To Cheek and Easter Parade.

Sophie admitted: “I didn’t realise I knew as much of his music as I did. But he wrote so many classic pieces. I’ve got about 17 or 18 songs so there was a lot to learn.”

Sophie’s had great support from friends and family, including Welsh rugby player boyfriend Ellis Jenkins.

“He secretly loves musicals as well and comes to watch me, so he gets teased a bit in the dressing room,” laughs Sophie.

“And my mum and grandparents came to see me 27 times in the Wizard of Oz!”

The Irving Berlin show is at The Usher Hall, Edinburgh on February 8.