Bolton woman to star in ITV's Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream

Maddy Erzan-Essien, 20, will be competing to play the next Sophie on the West End stage – and she said ‘it’d be a dream to be in such an iconic show.’

The series which launches this weekend on Sunday, October 22, will be searching to find two future musical theatre stars to play the roles of Sophie and Sky.

Contestants will be judged and mentored by industry stars through workshops, masterclasses, and performances as they work hard to win the roles.

The competition will come to a close with a grand finale broadcast from a theatre in London’s West End.

During the finale, two winners will take it all and win the roles of Sophie and Sky in Mamma Mia! and perform in the 25th-anniversary production at the Novello Theatre.

Radio and TV stalwart Zoe Ball will host the series and be joined by judges Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, Amber Riley, and Samantha Barks.

Speaking ahead of the show, Maddy has shared why she would love the role.

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She said: “I would love to play the role of Sophie because I admire her a lot as a character, as she’s always so bubbly and headstrong and she cares a lot about the people she loves!

“It would be such a fun role to play, and it’d be a dream to be in such an iconic show.

“Appearing on the show is just an incredible opportunity to have!

“It means the world to be able to learn from others and to simply enjoy being a part of it all.”

Contestants for MAMMA MIA! I Have A Dream (Image: Fremantle/ITV)Maddy found her love for musical theatre when she was 17. She said: “I’ve recently graduated from Urdang, so I’m very fresh into the industry.

“I started musical theatre quite late; I didn’t do it when I was little, but I’ve always done music.

“When I wanted to go to college, I thought I might as well give it a go.

“So, it was only when I was 17 that I decided to do musical theatre.”

Maddy said her favourite ABBA song is Chiquitita.

She said: “My favourite ABBA song is Chiquitita because it’s about holding on to hope when everything seems lost and as a person, I’m always trying to stay positive in the face of adversity.

“I feel like that’s a nice one that encourages me a lot.

Maddy will be up against six other Sophie wannabes, hoping for a chance to win.

Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream can be watched on ITV and ITVx, and the first episode will air on Sunday, October 22 from 6pm until 7.30pm.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.