Natalie Anderson

Natalie Anderson

Natalie Anderson is glad she lost to Will Young on 'Pop Idol' because it helped her land a role in 'Emmerdale'.

Before finding fame in the long-standing ITV soap, the 31-year-old beauty was a budding singer who was beaten to a place in the final 10 of the reality singing competition by Will in 2001.

However, Natalie admits closing the door on her singing dream was probably the best thing for her career as she's now a top TV actress.

She said: "I wasn't confident enough. I was in the final 50 and got beaten to the final 10 by Will Young, which isn't bad going. I wasn't ready for it. He was much more grounded. I was still at drama school and the idea that I could be in the papers the next day was disturbing. I found it stressful."

Natalie went on to land the part of barmaid Alicia Metcalfe in 'Emmerdale' and while acting is now her main forte, she will have another opportunity to show off her impressive singing skills in new ITV show 'Your Face Sounds Familiar', which sees six celebrities dress up and perform as pop icons ranging from Beyonce to Michael Jackson.

Natalie has already dressed up as pop star Katy Perry in rehearsals and says impersonating the 'Firework' hitmaker was harder than she imagined.

She said: "Katy's quite difficult really. Cher or Tina Turner have very distinctive mannerisms, but with Katy Perry, it's more her look. And I'm struggling to really pitch her voice and get the sound right.

"But the makeover team have done a phenomenal job. I think even Russell Brand might be fooled."

'Your Face Sounds Familiar' starts on Saturday at 7.30pm on ITV.

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