Wales On Sunday

MODEL IS BOSSING IT

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HER first pop hit sounded like something from a maths lesson – so it is fitting Lisa Scott-Lee is now a teacher.

We can reveal the Steps star, who hit the charts with 5, 6, 7, 8, now runs a performing arts school in Dubai and to the 600 pupils, she’s simply “Miss Lisa”.

Lisa, 45, from St Asaph in Denbighshi­re, took on the job after moving to the United Arab Emirates with her Hear’Say star husband Johnny Shentall, 42, and their two children.

The couple launched the Dubai Performing Arts Academy in 2014, which Lisa runs in between travelling the world to perform.

Lisa said: “Steps is my life. It has been my life for the last 24 years, but being principal of the school is my day job.

“I can never switch off. Even when I’m with Steps, rehearsing or shooting a video, I’ll be working on my laptop. It’s become a bit of a running joke. I have to flip between my Steps hat and principal hat, which can be really hard and stressful at times.

“I get on the plane as principal Lisa and get off the plane as pop star Lisa.”

Alongside her Steps bandmates Claire Richards, Lee LatchfordE­vans, Faye Tozer and Ian “H” Watkins, Lisa has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.

But she is equally proud of DPA, which teaches youngsters aged between three and 18. It is the first and only school in the UAE to offer a BTEC qualificat­ion in Performing Arts.

Lisa, who is mum to Jaden, 13, and Star Lily, 11, said: “I love to get up in the morning with a purpose.

“I’m not out here sunning myself – I work at the school six days a week, between eight and 10 hours a day.

“I focus on the day-to-day running of the school and the business side of

things, while Johnny is the creative director and main teacher.

“I’m mainly office-based now but still teach the kids singing and dance sometimes. I’m really proud to be able to tell people I’m a teacher.”

The star, who readily admits it can be “really challengin­g” juggling motherhood with two completely different careers, added: “We moved to Dubai in 2011 with two babies, two suitcases and a two-year plan.

“I never expected in my wildest dreams I’d still be here 10 years later running my own stage school.

“We have such an incredible quality of life in Dubai.

“I do get recognised out here for Steps and sometimes people will start singing Tragedy at me if we are out but on the whole, when I’m in Dubai, I’m just Miss Lisa.”

Lisa flew back to the UK in October to promote Steps’ sixth studio album, What the Future Holds. But she has not been able to return since as Dubai was on the travel red list.

Lisa said: “It’s been really hard seeing the group perform without me, but I will definitely be back for the new album and our arena tour later this year.”

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 ??  ?? Lisa Scott-Lee performing with Steps
Lisa Scott-Lee performing with Steps
 ?? MDLOS ?? Lisa is now principal of the Dubai Performing Arts Academy in Dubai
MDLOS Lisa is now principal of the Dubai Performing Arts Academy in Dubai

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