Aspiring West End Star Jodie Prenger is tonight competing on prime time television show I'd Do Anything for the lucrative role of Nancy in the musical Oliver.

And she looks set to be able to call upon hundreds of supporters in Doncaster whose hearts she won over while performing in panto in 2005.

During her time in the borough, while she was playing the Slave of the Ring in Aladdin at Doncaster Civic Theatre, Jodie starred alongside local youngsters who took dancing roles in the show, and visited hundreds of youngsters in their schools.

One fan today promised to vote for her because she was so good with the pupils at his school during a visit.

She spent much of the day at Rossington's Pheasant Bank Junior School, and even sat down to eat dinner with the pupils in full stage costume.

Assistant head Mike Hitchcock said: "She's become a household name now through appearing on the television but I reckon we could probably claim to have discovered Jodie at Pheasant Bank first, three years ago!

"I remember her visit very well because I went round the school with her and the actor who was playing Wishee Washee in the production. We did a little introduction and Jodie spoke to the kids. Everyone seemed to have a good time and she seemed to love it. The kids certainly thought it was fantastic.

"They spent a bit of time with each class, I reckon all the pupils who were there will remember her. They swarmed around her. She was so good with our youngsters that I would certainly back her to win the competition, and I reckon I will be voting for her, and I expect the rest of the staff will too.

"I think whether she wins or not, we shall try to invite her back again - I reckon she's a friend of Pheasant Bank."

When she was in Doncaster, Jodie, from Blackpool, was then a lesser name in the show, which billed former Neighbours actress Lucinda Cowden as its star. She had played Melanie Mangel in the Aussie soap.

Doncaster Civic Theatre recruited a host of local residents to take part in the show, as they have done for this year's panto.

Organisers say the production was a record year for them, and they will have their fingers crossed for Jodie tonight.

Kevin Johnson, Manager of the Civic Theatre also remembered Jodie's stint in Doncaster. He said: "It was a real pleasure having Jodie as part of the panto cast; she was always really friendly and professional, and we're all delighted that she's doing so well."

Graham Norton hosts the final of the live competition tonight as the remaining three Nancys battle it out to win the dream West End role.

n This year's Doncaster pantomime, Dick Whittington and His Wonderful Cat, is already in the pipeline, with former Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine actor Louis Emmerick starring as King Rat and the return of comedy ventriloquist Naughty Nigel Harvey with Ben and Sox.



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