JUST five years ago she was an unknown student and waitress who dreamed of seeing her name in lights.

But now 22-year-old Danielle Hope’s wishes have come true. She has worked with the best names in the industry and is today playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp in the Sound of Music at Southampton’s The Mayflower theatre.

Danielle captured the hearts of the nation when she beat 9,000 other wannabees to win BBC1’s talent contest Over the Rainbow, launching her into the limelight.

“Since I was 15 I was a waitress,” she says.

“Not in a million years did I ever imagine I’d be where I am today. This year will be five years since the programme, which is crazy. Before the TV show I was expecting to go to drama school but then I was on stage with Michael Crawford at the London Palladium.

“It’s just been amazing. I’ve worked with some of the greatest names in stage – never did I think it would take me here.

“You just never know what’s going to happen and it’s bloomin’ wonderful.”

From playing Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard of Oz to Eponine in Les Miserables in London’s West End to Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Danielle has proved her critics wrong using the power of her voice and bubbly personality.

“It was an unusual route to get into the industry that some criticise. People often say to me ‘why didn’t you cry when you won?’ I knew that winning was when the hard work started. This was someone giving me the opportunity to start working hard at something I had always wanted to do. I saw it as the next hurdle.”

Danielle, whose mum is a waitress and dad is a builder, says she’s been taught the value of hard work since a young age.

When she was out of work for a couple of months, she learnt circus skills and she makes sure she looks after her body to be fit for the demanding shows by eating well and staying active by practising yoga and gruelling fitness DVD Insanity.

“My body is my tool so I do have to look after myself but I don’t get into too much of a routine – with theatre it’s dangerous, because it’s so unpredictable that if for some reason you can’t do something, it plays with your mind.

“I do have a little bag of words though and I pick a few out to read before a show like stability, empathy, curiosity, comfort, that acts as my anchor.”

Danielle, who dreamed of being a performer since she was 11, will be reaching inside her bag of words every day until January 31 when the musical leaves the city, especially given Julie Andrews, who was Oscar-nominated for her portrayal in the 1965 film, is her idol.

“She’s a hero of mine and the reason I started to sing and go into theatre.

Sundays we’d all pile into Grandma’s and watch the Sound of Music. They are big shoes to fill.

“It is such an honour to carry the torch. I do get nervous but I don’t let my nerves get the better of me.

“I’ve always been blessed to work with children in all the productions I’ve done so far so I take a leaf out of their book and I’m inspired by them. They think ‘this is really cool’ and enjoy it. I also think if I am nervous, they will be nervous.

“I say to myself you’ve not got anything to prove, only to share.”

Danielle, who says her friend Gok Wan who starred in The Mayflower’s pantomime left her a note wishing her luck in her dressing room, giggles at her Sound of Music highlight – The Lonely Goatherd.

“The cast will laugh when they read this. It drove me insane to start with but actually, it’s so much fun playing around yodelling and running about with the kids. It’s really joyous (and the biggest cardio workout ever) and you really see her spirit in that song.”

But what makes a great leading lady?

“I think it’s about having an honesty, a truth to you, a sense of confidence but a lack of ego. It’s important to treat people with respect – and have a good time!

“I’ve never played at The Mayflower before but Gok has told me amazing things about it.

It is supposed to be massive and I’m so excited.”