ROWAN ATKINSON - JODIE 'STARSTRUCK' OVER WORKING WITH ROWAN ATKINSON

JODIE 'STARSTRUCK' OVER WORKING WITH ROWAN ATKINSON

Jodie Prenger has talked of her excitement at the prospect of working alongside Rowan Atkinson in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver! revival.

The I'd Do Anything winner claimed the role of Nancy in Saturday night's final and will take to the stage alongside Atkinson as Fagin in six months time.

Having won the hearts of the public with her performances on the BBC1 talent show, the 28-year-old admitted her "knees are still knocking" at the prospect of playing the feisty East End girl in the West End show.

And working alongside someone she has "watched for all those years on TV" is an equally nerve-wracking thought for the Blackpool girl.

She told Digital Spy: "I get dead starstruck me, I'm not good with famous people, I get all jittery and I say and I do stupid things."

But Prenger added: "Once I've gotten over that I just can't wait to start working with him. I think he's a very, very talented man."

She also stressed that she planned to prove that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Cameron were wrong to have said they thought Jessie Buckley was the right choice for the role.

"They are always going to have to say someone on the night," Prenger said.

"They came up to me afterwards and they couldn't have been happier. Andrew said to me they couldn't wait to start working and I'd make the most phenomenal Nancy."

She continued: "It's given me that fire in the belly and I want to get out there, like I have every week. I have fought fear and I'm going to fight to prove to them I am the right Nancy."