Lancashire-born actress Jodie Prenger shot to fame after winning BBC One musical theatre TV talent show I’d Do Anything in 2008. Two years previously, she was crowned the winner of Living TV’s The Biggest Loser, when, after starting out at 18 stone, she managed to lose eight stone during the course of the series.

Winning I’d Do Anything gave Prenger the chance to realise a dream and appear as Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver! She gave her final performance as Nancy in March 2010. She is now appearing as The Lady Of The Lake in Monty Python musical Spamalot.

Spamalot plays at the Theatre Royal Brighton from Thursday, December 15 to Saturday, January 14. To book, visit www.atgtickets.com/brighton or call 0844 8717650.

Which film star/musician/ artist/writer/other figure do you admire?

I la-la-la-love Liza... who needs Britney Spears in hot pants when you have Liza Minnelli singing Single Ladies in Sex And The City 2? You see so many of these flash-in-the-pan stars, but I’ve adored seeing that fabulous woman span decades of entertainment. The only thing I would change is her taste in men. David Gest wasn’t the best of choices but, girls, we've all been there – three glasses of Chardonnay and you think you’re snogging the face off George Clooney.

Which TV programme couldn’t you live without?

Family Guy. Now that would be something I’d love to do... become a character in Family Guy. Do you think they would need a scatty Northern neighbour?

Do you remember the first record you bought – what was it, and where did you buy it?

I do. I’m not sure who it’s by but it’s a song called Popcorn [a 1972 hit for the band Hot Butter]. The entire song consists of popcorn sounds... not a song to listen to if you’re hungry.

Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections…

I think my entire collection is a guilty pleasure to most, everything from Toy Story to The Godfather trilogy. There’s nothing I love more than to get home, get the fire on and cuddle up with my fella and my dogs with a movie on.

Do you have a favourite film?

Grab your box of tissues. It’s The Notebook. It’s such a beautiful story, inspired by the book written by Nicolas Sparks. I believe he based it on his wife’s parents.

What about a favourite book?

I hold the fondest memories for one of the first books I read, Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes. A terribly cheeky but deliciously fun book.

It really appealed to my fun sense of humour. In fact, from time to time I enjoy writing my own little children’s stories.

Is there a song or individual piece of music you always come back to?

My nan would always sing What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?

to me. I was filming in the North and popped into a random market and found an old 18” vinyl of this song signed by Emile Ford. It really made my day, and because my nan is no longer with us, I felt it was her way of saying hello.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m totally engulfed in romance. I’m reading the finalists for the Mills And Boon New Voices competition.

I am a sucker for good romantic tales. I always believe every girl’s Prince Charming is out there, even if I did have to kiss a few frogs to find mine.

Tell us about a live music/theatre/cinema experience that sticks in your memory...

If anyone as a kid visited Epcot at my favourite place on this planet, Disney World, they will know they had a show where Michael Jackson played a space traveller.

It was all shot in 3D and I was totally mesmerised...

Is there a book/record/film/ play/person that made you want to do what you do now?

A big memory was my nan taking me to watch 42nd Street as a kid. But I couldn’t do what I do now if it wasn’t for my family. They have always supported me through everything, and if I can make my mum and dad proud and keep my dogs in chew sticks, that keeps me happy.