Former X Factor finalist Niki Evans on talent show controversy, making the switch to musical theatre – and why Blood Brothers reduced her to tears

Sep 28 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

TISSUES at the ready – hit musical Blood Brothers is coming to the Floral Pavilion Theatre for the first time next month.

Former X Factor finalist Niki Evans is reprising the role of Scouse matriarch Mrs Johnstone in the famously tear-jerking tale of twin boys separated at birth.

When the mother-of-seven is deserted by her husband she takes a job as a housekeeper. But she discovers she’s pregnant again and in desperation enters a secret pact with her employer.

Her sons are later reunited by a twist of fate – but their reunion has tragic consequences.

Mother-of-two Niki is now in her fourth year of playing Mrs Johnstone after being spotted on the X Factor by a friend of show producer Bill Kenwright.

Yet despite her success in the role, the straight-talking Brummie says she still doesn’t consider herself to be an actress.

The 38-year-old, who joined her first cabaret band at the age of 12, said: “Mrs Johnstone is me, really, so it’s quite easy to play.

“I just have to do a Liverpool accent which is easy because it’s really close to a Brummie one.

“I’m definitely not an actress – I’m a singer. But I’ve always been dramatic!”

Niki says she always wanted to sing but musical theatre was never in her career plan.