COVER girl, actress, singer, dancer . . . multi-talented Jen, who celebrated her 26th birthday yesterday, shot to fame as a teenager in Brookside before taking the West End by storm in Chicago. Now she's heading our way in the dramatic stage production of Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds.

Planetary destruction, deadly heat rays and blood-sucking Martians determined to wipe out humanity . . . what's a nice girl like you doing in a show like this?

Ha ha. It's spectacular. I've never done anything quite like it before. The War Of The Worlds is a real phenomenon but I've known it since I was a little girl so it's a real privilege for me to take part.

The original Jeff Wayne album - which has so far clocked up whopping sales of 13million - was released in 1978. That's five years before you were born. How come you're so familiar with it?

My dad's to blame. It was something he always had playing to be honest. So I got very familiar with the album. Hearing that when you're young has a big impact because it's got a great story, the music is fabulous and it's very, very dramatic. It's surreal to be part of it now.

Have you had a chance to meet Jeff himself yet?

I've met him so many times he's like a second father to me now! He's a lovely man and very passionate about The War Of The Worlds. I think that shows through in the success of the show. I even sang for Jeff at my audition . . .

You had to audition? That's crazy. You were a West End smash in Chicago, you knocked 'em dead in Boeing Boeing and you were officially the sexiest Cinderella of all time in panto last Christmas. Weren't they knocking your door down to give you the part?

Ha ha. Auditioning is the rule not the exception no matter what part you're going for. You've got to prove you can sing the score or bring something to a character or do the accent - whatever it takes for each indivual job. No one is going to sign a contract until they've seen what you can do.

What did you sing for Jeff, then . . .

I had to sing Spirit Of Man, which is the song that I sing with Shannon Noll in the show itself.

By amazing coincidence, it's also your new single isn't it?

Yes, it is. It's available for download now.

That was a beautifully elegant plug. The song is one of the highlights of the show isn't it?

Well, it's such an amazing production there's lots to choose from. Personally I love the band - the score is just breathtaking. But it's hard for me to pick a favourite as I love the show from start to finish.

Besides your bits of the show, most blokes will be looking forward to the appearance of the giant Martian fighting machine . . .

I've not been on stage with one before, put it that way.

Your co-stars include Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson who both sang on the original album. And you also get to share a stage with a hologram of Richard Burton.

Absolutely. To share a stage with one of the giants of British theatre - even if it is a projection - is every actor's dream.

Have you read the original HG Wells book that inspired Jeff's adaptation?

Not yet. I'm saving it for the tour.

You're playing Beth, the parson's wife, so we're guessing the costumes will be a lot less revealing than you're used to . . .

Ha ha. Yes. They're very demure, very Victorian. And I've had lots of fittings!

Trying on clothes doesn't seem like it'd be a problem for you. Didn't you once spend £1,000 in a day on underwear?

Yes. I'm addicted to buying undies. I don't know why, because I can only wear a certain amount. At home I've got drawers and drawers full of them.

But - hey! - you're worth it.

Yes. Hopefully!

At 21, you won rave reviews after becoming the youngest actress ever to play Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. How does Beth compare?

Chicago was a huge achievement for me but it was very demanding. As Roxie, you rarely leave the stage, you're constantly singing and dancing and acting. It's like running a marathon every time. And we were doing eight shows a week so stamina suddenly becomes very important. The War Of The Worlds isn't physically demanding in that way but there's all the extra pressure of being in an arena in front of a 48-piece orchestra and a band.

Some people may underestimate how fabulous a dancer you are . . .

I love dancing. I began studying when I was three and I was a ballet champion at the age of nine. I trained at the Royal Ballet School. I'm so grateful I stuck in at it, even to this day - even when dancing doesn't seem like it's directly involved. Believe it or not, it even helps with photo shoots because it improves your posture.

What's the one thing you miss about your time playing Emily in Brookside?

The people. When you're working with the same people all the time in a soap you become a family whereas the jobs I do now, you tend to get close to people for a while and then never see them again.

What's your secret ambition as an actress?

I'd love to do Sweet Charity in the West End. I'm a big fan of Shirley MacLaine.

But you've got big plans away from the stage too, don't you?

Yes. I'm just finalising plans to open my own school of performing arts, which will incorporate a modelling agency and an acting agency too. I've found premises in Liverpool and I'm going full steam ahead. It'll be open later this year or early in 2010.

It's a huge step, what prompted it?

I've been in the industry for 13 years now but when I was growing up, a lot of the dance teachers had never set foot on a West End stage and never been to an audition. My school will be different. We'll be able to offer a unique insight. It's very rare that someone acts, sings, dances and models but I do and I'll be able to pass on what I know.

The War Of The Worlds tour kicks off in Scotland. Are you excited . . . or nervous?

I think the atmosphere will be electric. It'll be an amazing experience.

What do you like best about Scots men?

The accent, definitely. You can't beat a bit of William Wallace in Braveheart!

THE War Of The Worlds is at Aberdeen's AECC on June 10 and Glasgow's SECC on June 11. Call 0844 576 5483 or visit tickets.thewaroftheworlds.com

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