THIS time last year Suzanne Shaw had faded into the background, becoming known as "that blonde one from Hear'Say", with her former fellow band members hogging the limelight.

But in recent weeks the 26-year-old Lancashire lass has become a celebrity the public and press can't get enough of.

She has become Celebrity Mum Of The Year, Dancing On Ice champion, the new face of Asda's underwear range as well as landing her dream acting role in the musical Chicago.

"I can't believe how things have changed," said Suzanne.

"I feel on top of the world. I have never won anything before in my life and in the same month I won Dancing and Mum Of The Year."

Proving herself worthy of the Mum Of The Year title, Suzanne was juggling our telephone interview with tending to her three-year-old son, Corey.

She chatted about Hear'Say, skating and her plans, with the occasional "good boy" and "what have you got there?" thrown in.

And, providing more evidence that famous people are just like the rest of us, she realised while on the phone that she had run out of milk and toilet roll.

Suzanne came back into the spotlight in ITV reality TV show Dancing on Ice, having never skated before.

One of her coaches was former Olympic ice dancer Karen Barber, a coach at Blackburn Ice Arena.

Suzanne said working with her made her feel so at home it was almost like she had her family with her.

"It was really great to have someone from my neck of the woods with me," she said.

"I don't know if it's the accent or just the general way people from Lancashire are that unites them. It made me feel at home. She was brilliant.

"I'd also like to thank everyone from Lancashire for getting behind and voting for me," she said.

"It was a battle of the roses in the end with Chris Fountain from Yorkshire."

Suzanne, with skating partner Matt Evers, went on to win the latest series despite chipping a bone in her ankle in one of the rehearsals.

The star pushed on gracefully in a string of routines adapted to minimise any more potential damage.

The novice skater added: "I had never skated before the show at all.

"It was hard work at first but my partner was amazing.

"I had the most amazing time and I am going to miss dancing with Matt every day.

"To dance the Boléro was an honour. I have loved every single second of the show.

"Winning was all for Corey. When every bone in my body was hurting and I was exhausted I thought of his little face and felt more driven than ever. It was the performer in me that kept me going."

On the back of her success Suzanne has landed a role in Chicago playing fame-hungry jailbird Roxie Hart, a part she has dreamed of playing since she was a small child. She will take to the stage from June, following in the footsteps of Denise Van Outen and Bonnie Langford.

She is no stranger to the West End stage, having previously played the Narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2005 and Janet in cult musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Playhouse in 2006.

Suzanne, from Bury, first came into the public eye in 2001 on the reality TV show Popstars, which spawned the band Hear'Say. Together with her bandmates, she had a number one single and album.

She said: "I was only 18 when I left home and moved to London with Hear'Say. I am so different these days and it will be great to show people who I am today now. I left Lancashire so young and have made London my home now.

"But I do miss my real home. I love coming back up North.

"I'm looking forward to coming back up North with the Dancing On Ice tour."

Suzanne continued: "Musicals were my first love and I am so excited to play Roxie.

"I can't wait. It is a real dream come true. Next stop Broadway!"

  • Dancing On Ice is at Manchester Arena from May 7 to 11. Details on 0844 847 8000.