Learn More About Musical Theatre Talent Shows – Where Are The Stars?

At the height of the talent show’s popularity and long before the BBC’s most recent offering, Let It Shine, there were Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical talent shows. These included How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, I’d Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and Over The Rainbow, and each show aimed to find a musical theatre performer to play one of the main roles in an a stage adaptation in the West End.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria was won by Connie Fisher, I’d Do Anything was won by Jodie Prenger, the winner of Any Dream Will Do was Lee Mead and Over The Rainbow was won by Danielle Hope; in a twist, the show was also looking for a dog to play the role of Toto, and miniature schnauzer Dangerous Dave won that role.

Since the shows aired the stars – both those who won and those who were eliminated – have gone on to great things, from making it big in the West End to securing TV roles and presenting jobs. We’re taking a look at where the contestants in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent shows are now, and what they’re up to.

Connie Fisher

The winner of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, Connie’s breakthrough role was naturally that of Maria Von Trapp in a stage revival of The Sound of Music, which premiered in the West End on November 15th 2006. Although the show had been subject to significant criticism before it began, including from the actors’ union Equity, Connie received rave reviews in the role and ticket sales had hit £10 million in advance ticket sales before it even opened.

In 2007 she was awarded the whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice Award for London Newcomer of the Year and her run came to an end in 2008, though she returned for a UK tour in the role in 2009.

Since finishing her run as Maria she’s been very busy, appearing in a revival of They’re Playing Our Song by by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch at the presticious Menier Chocolate Factory. She’s also had a spell presenting The Hour on Scottish TV and in her first TV drama, Caught in a Trap.

Though she was told in 2011 she would never sing professionally again, following damage to her vocal cords, she met voice builder Gary Catona, whose help in allowing her to sing once more was filmed for a documentary, Connie Fisher: I’ll Sing Once More, which was broadcast on BBC1 in July 2015.

Now singing once more, Fisher has developed her acting career with roles in several dramas, and presents regularly for programmes including Songs of Praise.

Stephanie Davis

Though she didn’t win the show when she appeared on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Over The Rainbow, Stephanie Davis is perhaps one of its best known alumni.

Since being knocked out of the show in week five she has gone on to win the role of Sinead O’Conner in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks soap. Though she left the show in 2015, she’s remained in the spotlight thanks to a turbulent love life and an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

Jessie Buckley

Also a runner up, this time in I’d Do Anything, since quitting the show Jessie Buckley has changed tack, opting instead for straight acting roles – and she hasn’t done badly at all. In 2013 she completed a season with the RSC at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, but her biggest and best known role to date is as Marya Bolkonskaya in a big-budget BBC adaptation of War and Peace.

Samantha Barks

After finishing in third place aged just 17 in I’d Do Anything, Samantha Barks was quickly snapped up to appear in the UK tour of Cabaret, swiftly followed by an appearance as Eponine in the London production of Les Miserables.

The lucky star was spotted by producers for the Hollywood blockbuster adaptation of the show and cast in the same role on the big screen – the kind of break most can only dream of!

Book a musical star

Here at MN2S entertainment agency we’re lucky enough to have Connie Fisher on the books, and available to present awards, speak about her experiences or anything else you’d like to book her for. To find out more about booking a celebrity such as Connie Fisher for the next event you organise, contact MN2S talent agency.

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