SINGER and actress Jodie Prenger is living proof that the plethora of reality television talent shows do occasionally unearth a real gem.

Since landing the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival production of Oliver! after winning BBC 1’s I’d Do Anything she has been a popular and regular face and feature on our television screens and radios, as well as making numerous stage appearances.

She won the 2010 Whatsonstage Theatregoer’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical after her initial success and then went on to play The Lady of The Lake in the Spamalot UK tour and Dolly in the National Theatre’s production of One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

As an actress, television projects have included Wizards vs Aliens, Hustle , Candy Cabs and Waterloo Road for BBC 1, and she recently appeared in BBC 1’s Long Live Britain! exploring the effects of Diabetes and the importance of testing.

She continues to support Diabetes UK.

Back on television Jodie also came second in BBC1’s 2013 Let’s Dance for Comic Relief and has also had her own regular slot on ITV1’s This Morning, while there have been many other TV appearances such as Loose Women, The Chase, The One Show and presenting The Midweek National Lottery.

She toured with John Barrowman on his 2010 and 2011 UK Tours and has also made several concert appearances for BBC Radio 2 that include Thank You for the Music and the Friday Night Is Music show.

Readers of TV Times voted Jodie their Favourite Reality TV Star of 2008 and now local theatregoers will be able see and hear this talented lady for themselves when she appears in the lead role at Malvern’s Festival Theatre in Calamity Jane from Monday, December 1 to Saturday, December 6, 2014.

Also appearing in this Watermill Theatre touring production is Tom Lister, who is probably best known for his role as Carl King in the ITV ‘soap-opera’ Emmerdale , a role he played for nine years.

Aside from this Tom has also appeared in The Bill, Doctors and Heartbeat – all of which are a little removed from the gun-slinging role he plays in Calamity in which he will portray Wild Bill Hickok.

His theatre credits include the recent world premiere of Water Babies - The Musical at Leicester Curve, where he played Grimes and Eel, and Ralph in Accrington Pals (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Tom’s other interests include singing - although this is only his second musical, and he is a regular performer at the Royal Albert Hall for Christmas Carols with the Stars.

He also likes energetic outdoor pursuits and has competed in a number of extreme sporting challenges for charity.