IT has been a year to remember for Alexandra Burke and she will be rounding 2015 off in style starring in the hit musical The Bodyguard which comes to Manchester next month.

"It's going to be the most unusual Christmas panto ever," laughed the former X Factor winner about the show, based on the Hollywood movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner.

"It's going to be a lot of fun that's for sure and I'm looking to making Manchester my home for a few weeks."

The show opens on Tuesday, December 8 and runs until Saturday, January 9 which means Alexandra will be spending most of Christmas away from her home in London.

"I am getting time off of to spend Christmas Day with my family," she said, "but I just feel so lucky to be involved in something as special as this show, it's a real honour."

The Bodyguard is the story of a glamorous star who is terrorised by a stalker. A former secret service agent becomes her reluctant bodyguard.

The show features a number of blockbuster hits including How Will I Know, Queen of the Night and, of course, I Will Always Love You.

"I was such a massive fan of Whitney Houston," said Alexandra. "But the important thing to remember is that I am not playing Whitney Houston in the show. I am playing the character of Rachel Marron and I have to put my own interpretation on the role.

"The show doesn't stray too far from the film in many respects and has a strong storyline. But of course, we are working in the theatre so it has to work slightly differently."

Although known as a hugely successful singer - her debut album Overcome spawned four number one singles - Alexandra has proved equally at home taking the leading lady role. She starred in The Bodyguard last year in London's theatreland earning herself a Best West End Debut nomination in the process.

"I have loved acting since I was a little girl," she said. "It has been nice to take on the transition from singer to the stage. It has been challenging but that has made we want to do it all the more."

Alexandra rejoined the production in March this year and has been touring the country to rave reviews ever since.

The only drawback she has found is that she has had to curtail her recording career for the time being.

"I released a free EP, Renegade, in April and I perhaps naively thought that I could juggle touring with the show and spending time in the studio," she said.

"I soon realised that would not be possible. Such a major national tour is very demanding and I have to be carefully to look after myself and not overdo it.

"But in February I will be taking the month off to get back to recording."

Considering the demands The Bodyguard puts on its leading lady, it may be a surprise to note that Alexandra has not had to miss a single performance all year.

"I put that down to God," she said, "I am a very spiritual person. I have also been very disciplined, working out when I can, making sure I rest my voice and trying not to have too many late nights."

Faced with the prospect of having to sing THE song every night might prove daunting for many. But Alexandra takes it all in her stride.

"It just gives me so much joy to sing I Will Always Love You," she said. "I know that the audience are looking forward to hearing it. I'm never going to do a Whitney Houston impression, I just sing it my way and I hope that I do the song justice every night and that people walk out of the theatre pleased to have heard it."

The Bodyguard has been one of the main box office hits at theatres across the UK but Alexandra has never bothered with the reviews.

"I never read them," she said. "If they're really good my manager might read out one to me and sometimes people will tell me that the critics have loved it but I steer clear of reading them.

"I just go out there every night and do my best, you can't do any more."

The six week stay in Manchester will be the longest run in one city for the show.

"We've been on the road for coming up to 10 months and it does really feel like a family now among the cast and crew," she said.

"There is a great atmosphere back stage and a fantastic one in the theatres. THe buzz you get from seeing the audience so caught up in the show is amazing."

The Bodyguard, Manchester Palace Theatre, Tuesday, December 8 to Saturday, January 9. Details from 0844 871 3018.