SHE won the tenth series of X Factor, has since had two successful albums and her youngest is Sharon Osbourne’s goddaughter. Here SAM BAILEY, who is starring at in Fat Friends the Musical at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion from Monday, February 19, chats to KATY PEARSON about Rossi’s Ice Cream, being a Sunday mum and crying on stage…

Q So, what was it about this Fat Friends the musical that appealed to you?

A Working with Kay Mellor. I didn’t even really need to look at the script. I knew that if it had Kay Mellor’s name on it, it was going to be amazing. Also, I saw a lot of similarities between myself and Betty in the some of the things she does and the way she is to me as a person. She is such a great character to play!

Q What is your favourite part of the show?

A There is a song in the show called Beautiful. The instrumental of that song is the underscore throughout the show and it is absolutely stunning. The vocals on that are brilliant, it’s sang by Jodie Prenger, who does it so well. The last song of the show is called Love Who You Are and that’s the whole message of the show; love who you are, accept who you are and just be confident in who you are. It’s a great ending and a fun song as well!

Q You have three children (Brooke, Tommy and Miley Beau)… how do you juggle touring and family life?

A Facetime has played a massive part in me being away from home, but also having such a wonderful husband who is able to be at home looking after the children and making sure they are OK. My kids are fairly used to it by now, although my youngest struggles at times. She really, really does miss me. The last time I did a tour was when I was in Chicago, and she was only a year old then so she didn’t really know any different, but now she is very aware when I’m not there. She always orders me to come home when I’m on the phone! Her brother and sister look after her though. It’s all really down to my wonderful husband and I can’t say much more than that.

Q What can people expect from this show?

A Non-stop laughing. I always say to people, if you are going to come, make sure you wear a Tena lady – you’ll laugh your pants off! There is so much fun in the show and it is just so real. The characters are true and it’s a true adaptation of life. So many aspects of this show happen every single day, so audiences will have an understanding of that. Everybody knows somebody who has been on a diet or possibly even been on a diet themselves. The show is so heart-warming, there are some real moments in there that will get you really tearful. I have cried on stage during the show in moments where I needed to, but that was without even really acting it, I’ve just felt it and I know that the audience is going to be sobbing, especially if you are a mum!

Q Life must have been a bit of a rollercoaster for you since you won X Factor in 2013… what’s been your best bits?

A It really has! X Factor has given me so many great opportunities. A highlight of mine definitely has to be when I got the chance to sing with the Coldstream Guards, last October. I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I sang a version of Abide with Me which had been mixed with The Last Post. I was on stage at this big concert with over one thousand people in the audience singing this song and it was so moving, I loved it. A video of the performance was uploaded online and it went around the army life wildfire. I want to do it all again, I absolutely loved it! For me, doing that particular show with the Coldstream Guards was on a par with opening the NTAs with Michael Bolton, it was incredible! I felt so honoured to be given the opportunity to sing with the Coldstream Guards.

Q Do you have any regrets, or any opportunities you didn’t take that you wish you could have done?

A No, none at all. I think I am riding a pretty steady journey at the moment. There are so many different things that I am doing that I am really enjoying them. I have made the right decisions with the jobs I have taken. Most of my decisions revolve around my family and I don’t make a decision unless I have spoken to my husband, Craig. If he is OK with it then I’ll do it.

Q Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

A Still hopefully doing what I love. Still working with incredible people and hopefully a mother of the bride...! My daughter will have gone through university by then, hopefully have a nice job and found herself a nice fella. I am desperate to be a grandma one day – not that I’m wishing my children’s lives away – but I love kids! In ten years-time, I just want to be happy in whatever I am doing – earning money and going on nice holidays and providing money for my family. Seeing my kids through college, university and helping them.

Q What’s your dream role/gig?

A There are a few roles that I would like to tick off my bucket list. I would love to do Nancy from Oliver, Rosie in Mama Mia!, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot or Madame Thenardier in Les Mis, but you know one show at a time! I am going to need a break after Fat Friends – The Musical. I’m a Sunday mum really, I do this work then I spend six months at home with my kids being a Sunday mum again. I would like to do a lot of musicals in my future.

Q You’ve toured to Southend before, do you have particular memories of the Cliffs? Are you looking forward to being back here?

A Really looking forward to coming back to Southend and the Cliff’s Pavilion– I love it there! I love Rossi’s Ice Cream, it’s my favourite thing in the world, so I’ll be making a beeline there as soon as I arrive. I used to go to there on holiday when I was a kid so there’s a little bit of home there which will be nice to return to. The fish and chips in Southend aren’t too bad either!

Fat Friends - the Musical is at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend, from Monday, February 19-Saturday, February 24. For tickets, call the box office on 01702 351135.