- I went to performing arts school when I was eleven and I always knew I wanted to sing and make my own albums and follow what my idols have done, and I found out about a school where you could sing and dance and act, as well as doing academic stuff, and I was like 'why wouldn't I want to go there?'
- I love Otis Redding. He's definitely one of my favourites, I think because not only I love his songs but his voice and the passion that he puts into his performances. I find it crazy that, you know "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", his most famous song, he recorded that three days before he died, before he had a plane crash. That's mad, isn't it?
- I always think my favourite soul songs are usually about heartache, I think because you can put more soul into it.
- [Pop any pills?] No. I might buy vitamin pills, but never get round to taking them. If I have a cold, I take cold and flu tablets.
- [Any family ailments?] My grandmothers had dementia, which was very sad. My dad, who is in his late 50s, has just had a pacemaker fitted.
- [Can you run up the stairs?] Yes, I can. My fitness levels have vastly improved since starting Strictly Come Dancing - I'm dancing up to five hours a day, depending on my schedule. I don't normally exercise, though I do run around on stage and have dance routines for music videos or TV performances. Overall, I just aim to keep busy and active, and that works for me.
- [Get your five-a-day?] I probably do - though I'm not strict about it. I eat a lot of fish and chicken and not much red meat. I always have fruit and vegetables. My favourites are broccoli, sweetcorn and carrots. When I have time, I will eat porridge and raisins for breakfast, but if I am busy, I grab a banana and snack bar.
- [Ever dieted?] No, but I have had times when I've tried to eat more healthily. My weight is pretty stable, though I never weigh myself. I'm 5 ft 8in and a size 8. At the moment, I'm more hungry than usual because I am dancing so much.
- [Any vices?] I have a sweet tooth. My boyfriend Oliver loves chocolate, so I'm into it, too. It doesn't matter which brand, though milk chocolate is my favourite. I also like cookies, little cakes and comfort food such as apple crumble with custard. I don't smoke, but I do drink, so I may have a couple of glasses of red wine at the weekend when out with friends. I don't drink during the week.
- [Would you ever have plastic surgery?] No, not at the moment. Perhaps when I am much older I may feel differently, but I don't feel like I need to.
- [Can't live without?] Water and sleep. I drink two litres of water a day to hydrate my voice. I could happily sleep for 12 hours a night but have to cope with less, though I am good at catnapping - I can fall asleep anywhere.
- [Most serious illness?] I was born seven weeks premature. I had jaundice, but was a healthy baby after that.
- [Cope well with pain?] I have a high pain threshold - I don't take painkillers often. I've a touch of backache, which I think is probably a strain from dance training, but hopefully the physio will sort that out.
- [Favourite hangover cure?] Drink lots of water. Lucozade seems to help, too. And a sausage sandwich or eggs on toast is good. If I need a shot of caffeine, then a cup of tea in the morning or a gingerbread latte from Starbucks works for me.
- [Biggest phobia?] Spiders. I hate them. I'm not great with heights either, but flying is fine.
- [Like to live for ever?] Yes, but it would suck if everyone I knew had died, so only if all my friends and family had eternal life, too.
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