Merry Essex-mas!

I joined the cast in the TOWIE Xmas special!

Who doesn’t want their 15 minutes of fame? That one chance to dazzle in the spotlight, with all eyes on you? Well, I certainly do. And it’s a dream I’ve been chasing since I was 19.

I’ve always longed to be on the telly.

So, 13 years ago, in 2004, I decided to try and make my dreams a reality.

To gain some experience, I applied to be an extra in a TV ad.

It was for Oxfam, and I’d seen an advert on an audition website.

Why not? I’d thought, putting myself forward.

In the advert, I had to walk around markets and pretend to be shopping.

‘That’s me!’ I screamed at the telly to my mates when it aired.

I got a real buzz from seeing myself on screen, and was hungry for more.

My next job came in 2006 when the film Borat, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, was released.

Promoting the movie, I worked the red carpet dressed as a ‘lady of the night’ from Borat’s home country of Kazakhstan! Red leather jacket, tacky belt, silver sandals – I looked the part as I posed with Sacha, the cameras flashing.

Nervous, I even had to sing the Kazakhstan national anthem. You can do this, I told myself. And I pulled it off! The next day, my face was all over newspapers and magazines.

I loved the attention! And it seemed to open doors to so many other opportunities – TV shows, ads, promotions…

‘I’ve never been so busy,’ I told my friends.

In February 2009, I had my

I got a real buzz from seeing myself on screen!

daughter Kayla. As a single mum, I focused all my attention on her.

Over the years, work dried up a bit.

But it didn’t stop me encouraging Kayla to reach for the stars.

‘Never give up on your dreams,’ I’d tell her.

I showed Kayla my TV work when she got older.

‘I want to do it, too!’ she said, over time.

So I arranged an agent for her, and she started singing and street dancing, even going to castings for TV shows.

I supported her every step of the way – and my own acting bug came back, too.

Last November, I saw an ad on Facebook for extras in The Only Way is Essex.

‘I love TOWIE!’ I cried to Kayla.

After applying, and sending a headshot, I got a reply the next day.

‘They want me as an extra!’ I told Kayla, beaming.

She was thrilled for me.

That week, I left her with family, and travelled to Cambridgeshire for filming.

They were shooting the Christmas special in a castle.

To really look the part, I’d already got my hair and nails done. And I’m so glad I did.

The TOWIE cast were just so glamorous!

We were there to film an ice-queen ball, so I donned a silver dress and stuck diamonds to my face.

The make-up team even gave me glittery lips!

I felt every bit as snazzy as the TOWIE lot.

Except I was so nervous, I drank a bit too much bubbly during the 10 hours filming.

Still, you couldn’t tell when it aired on 21 December.

Watching it with Kayla got me in the festive spirit.

‘There you are, Mummy!’ she grinned, pointing me out in the background.

Now, I’ve been on TOWIE 13 times, and had selfies with most of the cast.

My dream is that one day people will want selfies with me!

I’ve been invited to appear in this year’s TOWIE Christmas special, too.

But I can’t give too much away – it’s top secret.

I can tell you one thing for sure, though…

It’ll be glam, tanned and fabulous – of course! Merry Essex-mas everyone!