SITTING on the couch with her gran in Penketh watching 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?', Danielle Hope could only dream of taking on Julie Andrew's iconic role.

The BBC show was the first of its kind searching for a new West End star to play the part of Maria in The Sound of Music.

The ratings-winner spawned a series of successful shows including searching for a Nancy in Oliver! before Andrew Lloyd Webber's attentions turned to Oz and the hunt for a Dorothy.

Fast forward five years and the winner of Over The Rainbow is now settling into life as a musical regular having starred in the Wizard of Oz in the West End before picking up parts in Les Miserables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and her latest lead role in the touring production of The Sound of Music.

It has been a ride that would send even the Wicked Witch of the West into a spin but the 23-year-old has remained level-headed throughout the journey.

Danielle added: "I remember sitting with my nan (Edith Hope) when How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? started and her saying 'You could do something like this'.

"And five years later I'm doing this wonderful show that everyone knows.

"It feels like the adult equivalent of Dorothy and it's one of those roles that if you're approached to do you grab it with both hands.

"My nan waited for me to get my first tour just over a year ago in Joseph but then sadly passed away.

"It was one of her favourite films and we used to watch it together.

"I'm gutted she won't get to see it but performing it keeps me connected to her."

The talented songstress' route into the industry was criticised by some who felt the X Factor-style competition was unfair to other performers trying to break into musical theatre.

But Danielle says any actor or actress has to 'constantly prove themselves' no matter what path they take in their career.

She added: "Each audition brings new challenges and nobody is right for everything.

"You just have to consistently work hard and not let missing out on parts affect you or worry about where the next job is coming from.

"I didn't want to be a celebrity when I applied for the show, I just wanted to be creative no matter how big the project.

"I've been lucky as I went straight from the Wizard of Oz to Les Mis but there's four weeks left of the Sound of Music tour and I don't know what I'm doing next yet.

"It can be terrifying and anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves but it's part of the job and I've spoken to people who are 40, 50 or 60-years-old and they say auditioning doesn't get any easier.

"It's a crazy lifestyle and I don't know why I love it so much but I think being a bit mad helps!"

So far her 'crazy' career has seen her perform at the Royal Variety Performance, release her debut live album after recording it in New York earlier this year as well as performing at Buckingham Palace where the former Knutsford High pupil admits swiping a cheeky souvenir.

She added: "The dressing rooms were in the bedrooms and had obviously been set up so people couldn't take things.

"The only thing there were these tiny hand towels which had BP in small blue letters.

"I spilt some make up on one and was so embarrassed I decided to take it with me and I still have it in my dressing room today."

Her momento will be accompanying her to the Liverpool Empire this autumn where she is sure to receive a warm welcome as Maria in the well-loved show from friends and family, including her former Penketh High dad Brian Hope.

But despite her success, Danielle struggles to put her finger on where her musical genes came from.

She added: "I remember my mum would always have music on in the car like Celine Dion or The Corrs and I would try to imitate them and my grandma would always be singing.

"But I'm the only one in the family living an artistic career and I've since been looking back and found out my granddad, who I never met, used to play the piano so maybe I got it from him.

"I love performing in Liverpool as it gives me chance to spend some time with my sister in Warrington and I'm a great auntie now which is very exciting.

"Each audience is different and it's fascinating to see which parts of the show people laugh at as it always changes in different parts of the country.

"In act two I can always hear the audience joining in with Do Re Mi over the tannoy and I love that."

Warm up your voices and catch Danielle Hope as Maria in The Sound of Music at the Liverpool Empire from September 14 to 19.