A FORMER Knutsford schoolgirl is about to take the UK by storm as she stars in a tour of the hit musical Hairspray.

Freya Sutton is making her professional theatre debut with her role as Tracy Turnblad in the production, which opens at The Lowry in Manchester on Monday.

The 22-year-old, who went to Knutsford High School, graduated from Italia Conti, in London, in the summer, after studying for a three-year musical theatre diploma.

She said: “I’ve been really lucky that Hairspray was out while I was graduating, and it’s a role I could be cast for.

“I remember coming to London with my family when I was 17 to see the original Hairspray with Michael Ball – it was before I started training and I thought ‘I want to do that’.”

Freya, who grew up in Antrobus, joins stage and screen actors Mark Benton and Lucy Benjamin in the show, as well as X Factor favourite Marcus Collins and original West End cast member Sandra Marvin.

“Everyone in the cast gets on so well, it’s amazing how everyone’s bonded,” she said.

“The musical is really bubbly and so are the people who are in it.

“In the cast there’s a mix of knowledge and experience and fresh bubbliness – I’ve just been watching everyone and learning.”

The tour will be at The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre until February 23 before a UK tour running until September.

Freya’s mum Debbie is making sure her daughter keeps her feet on the ground.

Freya said: “Mum can’t believe it but she’s really realistic – I used to work at a frozen yogurt factory and she told me when I leave to do it nicely because I’ll be back.

“In this industry you can go for long periods without work.

“She’s absolutely thrilled for me – all my family and friends are and they’re all coming to see the show.”

Shows are at 7.30pm, with 2pm performances on Wednesday, February 20, Thursdays and Fridays.