5 MINUTES WITH...

Following a host of celebrity names as they battle it out to be crowned television’s ultimate triplethreat, the popular ITV show looks set to return, bigger and better than ever before.

This year’s line-up includes Good Morning Britain’s Alex Beresford, former EastEnders’ star Jacqueline Jossa, wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, Coronation Street’s Lisa George, James Bond actor Colin Salmon, and rugby star Danny Care.

A diverse mix of abilities, the one-off instalment will see the celebrities once again stand centre-stage in a bid to impress the live theatre audience and panel of West End stars.

Ahead of the new series landing on our screens, we sit down with Jossa to discover more.

WE’RE EXCITED TO CATCH THE NEW EPISODE, HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF MUSICALS?

I’ve always loved musicals. I’m a musical geek. My favourite thing to do is to go and watch a musical, so to get a chance to be on the other side of that, to do something a bit different, push myself a little bit, it was a no brainer, really.

DID YOU FIND PERFORMING LIVE A CHALLENGE?

I haven’t done much live stuff ever really. EastEnders, if you mess up, you can go again.

And then in the I’m A Celebrity... jungle I was just being myself and I found that quite natural. I kind of realised about 20 minutes before going on, ‘Oh, this is the first time – apart from a karaoke session, a little bit drunk with my pals – I’ve actually sung a whole song on my own in front of a live audience’. I started panicking a little bit then. Stupid idea, really, but it was like 20 minutes before going on. I psyched myself out a little bit. And it was really scary. It was really nerve racking.

DID YOU PICK UP ANY GOOD PERFORMANCE ADVICE?

I got loads of advice I have kept with me. Some of the things I was taught by Samantha Barks – I’m like her biggest fan anyway, so it was a bit crazy to even meet her. Then to sing in front of her and get advice from her, I’ve definitely locked it away in my little toolbox for the future. And we were so lucky to work with Mary. It did unlock a new part of my voice I didn’t even know I had – a new confidence. And I really enjoyed it.

DID YOU GET TO PICK YOUR SONG?

This is a song I’ve never sung before and never would have attempted to sing. No thank you. It’s not me at all. I had hopes and dreams; I really wanted to do a different song. I was hoping for a bit of, you know, Eponine or something because it’s something I know well and I enjoy. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone. I felt a lot more comfortable singing other songs but I guess that was the challenge of it. They wanted each of us to have our own challenges, and not make it easy for us. And that definitely worked; I think we were more proud in the end because of it.

WILL WE RECOGNISE THE SONG?

Nans, grandads, four year olds – every age knows this song. It’s probably the biggest song a Disney Princess has ever sung. All Star Musicals, STV, tomorrow, 7.30pm