X Factor’s Brenda Edwards in Hairspray at Wolverhampton Grand

Brenda’s life changed forever when she entered The X Factor in 2005. She was the last woman standing in the semi-finals and left the audience and judges spellbound week after week before signing up for a 27-date X Factor UK arena tour.

The ultimate acceptance by the public came when Brenda was presented with the Screen Nation Award in 2007 for Favourite Reality TV Star, which was a people’s choice award.

In 2006, Brenda was snapped up to play Mama Morton in Chicago the Musical in the West End. She received such great acclaim for her portrayal of the prison warden that she was asked back to play the role again after appearing in the 10th anniversary gala performance.

In 2007, Brenda created the role of Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, performing with both the London and Royal Philharmonic orchestras.

“It’s been an interesting ride,” she says, a master of understatement.

She’s on the road now with Hairspray, calling in at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre from Monday to March 3.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be part of the show. It’s a great cast. It’s nice to have fun and everybody is so supportive. That’s what’s needed when you’re on the road and away from your family at home. It’s nice that we all get on and we have fun.”

The action in Hairspray is set in Baltimore in 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way. The show features the hit songs Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat, The Nicest Kids in Town and many more.

Brenda says: “It’s an amazing feel-good show, but the things we’re talking about are anything but feel-good. It was a time of racism and oppression but the musical doesn’t shove that you’re your throat.

“There’s an underlying message there which is serious and poignant, whether it’s to do with sexism, ageism, religion or anything else. There is no other musical that covers so many topics.

“I’ve wanted to play this part for a long time. I auditioned for the West End, but I wasn’t ready at the time because I was fresh from The X Factor. I wasn’t successful then but it meant that I could go away and grow and come back with a real understanding of how to play the character. I hope I’ve achieved that.

“It’s such a great role. She’s very similar to me. I identify with her. The way she speaks her mind and she’s a fighter and a strong lady. She has some amazing songs. I’m very lucky to be playing her.”

She is respectful of the way The X Factor changed her career. It gave her a platform and she’s used that to keep moving forward. “I didn’t even know what I was looking to get out of it. I didn’t think I’d win it or get as far as the live shows, to be honest. Having gone on the show and been in that bubble – and that’s what it is – it’s easy to be confused once you come out because you are just shielded from the outside world.

“It’s only when you come out and are on your own that you have to have this strong determination to put it behind you and decide where to go next. I just kept singing in clubs and doing lots of gigs.

“I was in it for 11 weeks until the semi finals. I do believe I was one of the lucky ones. But you make your own luck and destiny. I wasn’t put straight in for Chicago. I had to audition and I had five auditions for one role. It was very daunting. That was more frightening for me than my X Factor auditions.”

Away from the stage, Brenda has faced battles of her own after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She made the brave decision to go public about that in the hope that her victory against the disease might inspire others.

“I didn’t hide the breast cancer away because I wanted to be somebody that could try and help somebody else out there. That’s why I came out there. I was aware that people would see me as someone in the public eye. I wanted to raise awareness for the cancer. I went through it when I was on the Hairspray tour the last time. That’s another reason why I wanted to come back this time. It was such a strong network of support for me.

“I felt my breast and it turned out it was that. I caught it early and had chemo and it’s not nice, it’s horrible, I have side effects but I’m alive. I am thankful every single day. That’s what makes me want to do this show. You don’t know when your time will be up. I want to spread the joy and happiness. I want to help others. I want to empower others.”