The last time Suzanne Shaw was at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, she went into labour and was rushed to hospital.

It was December 2004 and Suzanne was supporting her then-fiance Darren Day, who was playing Buttons in Cinderella.

The 32-year-old former Emmerdale star said: “I went into labour in dressing room one. I went to Darent Valley Hospital and was there for 24 hours in labour.

“We had a little puppy at the time and Darren had to go to feed the dog and make sure it was fine.

“When he left, they said ‘you have to start pushing’.

“I thought I couldn’t do it on my own. My mum was in New Zealand and my family were up north.

“The ugly sisters were around. They said ‘do you want the ugly sisters to some in and be around?’

“I said ‘absolutely not. I am not giving birth to my son with the two ugly sisters from panto in the room’.

 “Luckily Darren had got back just in time.”


Suzanne in Dancing on Ice

Her son, Corey, is now nine and Suzanne is hoping for a less painful time when she returns to The Orchard from September 11 to 20 in Blockbuster the Musical.

The show is a family-friendly, uptempo show featuring the songs of 1970s and 80s duo Chinn and Chapman, such as Mickey, Tiger Feet and Living Next Door to Alice.

It is produced and directed by veteran star Paul Nicholas, who also plays the role of Crazy Max.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I met Paul a couple of months ago and he’s such a super guy. He’s so supportive.”

The project is the latest in an incredibly varied career for the former Hear’Say singer.

Throwback: Suzanne in Hear'Say in 2001.

Earlier this year, Suzanne returned for the final series of Dancing On Ice, which she won in 2008, and has just finished in the drama About Miss Julie in Islington.

After Blockbuster, she will appear in panto in Aylesbury and is also co-writing an 80s comic book musical.

Suzanne said: “What was always hard at first but that I now love about my job is that I don’t know what will happen next.”

The 80s musical Suzanne is working on is not her first foray into writing.

She said: “I love writing. It’s one of my massive passions.”

“I don’t mind that (people don’t think of me as a writer). I quite like it. I chip away at home, there’s no pressure. If something happens to make it, it makes it. If not, I just enjoy doing it.”

Suzanne Shaw stars in Blockbuster The Musical at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from September 11 to 20. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.