A FORMER Wivenhoe schoolgirl is set to make her West End debut in hit musical Mamma Mia.

Katy Osborne, whose career began when singing as a child in St Mary’s Church choir, will take to the stage at the Novello Theatre next week.

Katy was selected from hundreds of candidates as a ‘swing’, which means she must learn the lines, lyrics and dance moves of ten female characters in preparation for filling in for any of the female cast.

She is also understudy for ‘Lisa’ who is a bridesmaid to the main female lead, Sophie.

“It certainly is a lot of work,” said Katy, 28, whose family still live in the town.

“The last time I was a ‘swing’, I was 19, and I had so much more energy, but I’m really enjoying it.”

It means Katy, who attended the Colne Bank School of Dancing, in Church Road, Brightlingsea and the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, in Surrey, trains between 10am and 6pm between Monday and Saturday to get ready.

She added: “I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the support I received while I was growing up in Wivenhoe and I can’t wait for the family to all be here for the opening night.”

Katy has already appeared in We Will Rock You, in Cologne, Germany, and in Hello Dolly, in the Theatre Royal, in Lincoln.