FROM the back streets of Burnley to the beaches of Benidorm, 4ft 11in Chantelle Garvey has become a household name.

Single mum ‘Telle and her baby Coolio are the youngest members of the Garvey family in ITV’s comedy Benidorm, which finished its third series at The Solana holiday resort earlier this year.

Over the past three years the Bafta-nominated show starring Johnny Vegas has evolved into a big hit but it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind for Burnley-born Hannah Hobley.

The pint-sized actress revealed Benidorm was only her second-ever audition. One day she was at college with her friends and the next she was a TV star.

“I had no idea it was going to be so massive,” says the sweet 21-year-old, a world apart from her famous loudmouth character. “I’d only just found an agent and just went for it. When I auditioned I didn’t know it would have such a well-known cast or be so successful and go to three — dare I say four — series, if it’s recommissioned,” smiled the bubbly actress.

“Now people point at me in shops and come up to me in the street. I prefer it when they come over than when I hear people talking about me. Sometimes they’ll ask the classic joke, ‘Where’s Coolio?’,” she giggled.

“It’s so much fun to film. We never stop laughing when Johnny is around. He’s a natural comedian,” said the former Fisher More High School pupil. “He’s lovely to work with too. We’ve got a good working chemistry.

“My friends think it’s hilarious that we had to kiss. They all say to me, ‘Hannah, you look like you were enjoying that’ but I just tell them I’m an actress it wouldn’t look very good if I was pushing his head away and squirming. But for my first on-screen kiss I really couldn’t complain.”

And having spent 14 weeks in Benidorm filming the last series this summer, it’s a good job Hannah likes the holiday resort.

“Don’t knock it 'til you try it, I say. If you’re looking for a quaint holiday then don’t go to Benidorm but if you’re looking to have a really good time, say a girls' or lads' holiday, it’s so much fun,” said Hannah, who is also a classically-trained soprano.

“We had all sorts of nights out — bingo nights and karaoke nights. I‘m known for doing Shirley Bassey’s Hey Big Spender. And Sheridan Smith (Two Pints of Lager actress), who is in series three, became my drinking buddy. We liked to duet I Know Him So Well.”

While Hannah, who has acted as a hobby since she was a small child, loves her job, when she’s away she can’t help but crave her mum’s cooking and her own bed at home in Colne.

She lives in the family house with her mum, stepdad, 16-month-old half brother and three younger stepbrothers and this Christmas she is looking forward to spending some time with the Hobleys.

For next week she is taking on a role a little closer to home as she makes her East Lancashire panto debut as Fairy Liquid in Sleeping Beauty.

Hannah will star in the George Critchley pantomime, which calls at Colne Muni and Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, after getting her agent to find out what Christmas shows were available locally.

“I’ve always wanted to do a panto at Colne Muni. They are always of a high standard and it would be really special for me to perform in my home town, so I asked my agent to find out what I could do. I’ve never performed at the Muni before and it’s going to be brilliant to be at home over Christmas while we’re at Oswaldtwistle.”

Rehearsals started on Monday and already the production is in full swing. Hannah will appear alongside ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Claire-Lousie Mealor, who shot to fame through her role in the winning team in BBC’s Dance X contest. George Critchley will appear as Simple Simon and members of the East Lancs School of Dancing, based in Colne, will also take to the stage.

Hannah is overflowing with excitement and admitted she can’t wait for curtain-up.

She said: “The whole family and all my friends will be coming. My parents are really honest about my performances, so they can give me any comments to improve upon.

“They won’t all come on the same night but there’ll be someone in the audience every night. I even want someone there on the first night. It will actually help my nerves.”

If you watch any telly over Christmas you’ll see Hannah in her most recent screen role as Bertha in a festive special of BBC period drama Cranford, which stars Judi Dench.

“Cranford was just a dream to work on. It’s like a fairytale,” she gushed. “I’ve always been a fan of period drama so to be able to do this was a dream. Judi Dench is a lovely down-to-earth lady. She’s a legend. It was quite intimidating to meet her but she put me at ease right away.

“I’ve found that the most famous and successful actors I’ve met are the most normal. I’d say Imelda Staunton was one of the best people I’ve ever met. She’s such a nice person. She plays my mistress in Cranford and she’s small like me. She’s had such a fantastic career and she’s who I aspire to be like.”

l Sleeping Beauty runs from December 12 to 19 at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre and from January 8 to 24 at Colne Muni. Call 01282 661234 for tickets.