KATY, who had been working in the music industry for nearly 20 years, went onto win the BBC TV show earlier this year, hosted by Graham Norton.

But she confesses she didn’t even think she would get through.

“I’ve been a musician quietly working very hard for 19 years. I was not that worried about it because I just didn’t think I would get on it.”

When she got down to the last 10 the nerves set in and she admitted the long socks she wore helped cover her knocking knees.

“I never really been on TV before. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.”

But she enjoyed the experience and confesses: “I was singing the best songs ever written to nine million people every week.”

“I am very lucky I am one of the few people that can sound like her.

"It’s not something that you can really put on. The Dusty voice is either one you’ve got or you haven’t got.”

And her performance, which eventually won her the competition, had a big affect on music buying with HMV saying sales of Dusty’s albums quadrupled in a week.

Her prize saw her perform in Las Vegas for three months which for Katy was tinged with sadness as it meant leaving her husband (bassist in the band) of seven years behind.

After the struggle of the first month when the 37-year-old was doing two shows a night and did not know anyone she got to the third month not wanting to come back.

So much so that she is returning next year.

Fans of Katy and her alter ego Dusty are promised a good show when she tours the country performing Dusty, Cher, Annie Lennox and also a spoof Tina Turner.

“I just sing my heart out really and I’ve got a great show and a great band. Everything we have in my show is live.

But Katy admits it can get confusing flitting between the acts: “Sometimes I am doing Tina Turner and I’ll pull a hand move like Dusty.

As for the next challenge Katy will be taking part in the Great British Song Book which sees her singing everything from Paul McCartney, John Lennon to Morrissey and Coldplay.

But ultimately she just wants to be herself: “Of course I would like to break out of the tribute act and be a huge performer in my own right. I would like to find the real me.”

Katy Setterfield, The Orchard, Dartford, September 6.

Box Office: 01322 220000.