X FACTOR star Holly Tandy promised it wasn’t the last we’d see of her, and she was right.
Holly will step in to Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers after being cast as the lead role in The Wizard of Oz in a Christmas show.
Holly, 16, of Darton, said she was delighted to be making her stage debut, and to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
She can’t wait to put on the famous slippers and work with a real dog which will take the role of Toto.
She told the Chronicle: “I’m so excited. I’ve never done acting before, but it’s something different and I just thought it was a great opportunity to do something new and gain some new skills.
“I’m a bit nervous because it’s such a classic, iconic, role. I feel like I’ve got to do a good job and I know I will because I will work so hard but I’m excited more than anything.
“I’ve loved The Wizard of Oz since I was young, it’s such a good story.”
Holly reached the live finals as one of Sharon Osbourne’s girls on the ITV singing competition, but she was voted off in the quarter final.
Holly auditioned for the part of Dorothy in London.
“I was absolutely ecstatic when I got the call to say they really wanted me. I couldn’t stop smiling.”
Rehearsals start in London in November, and Holly will be joined on the Yellow Brick Road by Radio Wave favourite Scott Gallagher as the Cowardly Lion.
The show will run at Blackpool Opera House from December 7 to 30.
