Danielle Hope was catapulted onto the West End stage aged just 18 after winning the role of Nancy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit reality TV show Over the Rainbow.

Now 22, the Manchester-born actress remains a leading lady favourite, touring the country as Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

The world-famous musical, which tells the story of a noble Austrian family forced to escape from the Nazi regime at the start of the Second World War, opens in Wimbledon at the end of the month.

Louisa Clarence-Smith catches up with Danielle Hope in between rehearsals.

You won the Over the Rainbow competition five years ago. How has your life changed since winning the show?

I was still at school when I won the show. I hadn't really started to think about careers, I was thinking about exams and drama school so it completely changed the game.

I still managed to go to drama school in Chiswick, at Arts Educational. Andrew [Lloyd Webber] spoke to them and I managed to join the second year for their first term and it gave me a really good foundation.

What’s Andrew Lloyd Webber like off-camera?

He's just the most generous man. He's hilarious and very creative and he really looked after us. It was a pleasure working with him. My brain won't get that the man I worked with is the same man who created all these amazing shows that I grew up with.

You’re from Manchester originally. Do you think aspiring actresses need to move to London to make it?

I don't think you necessarily have to. There's lots happening in London but there's also lots happening in Cardiff and Manchester.

I think it's important to be where you're happiest because it's where you thrive.

Julie Andrews is the iconic Maria Von Trapp. Have you tried to put your own take on the role?

Julie Andrews is my hero. She's just so wonderful and she had a real effect on me growing up.

I would never do an imitation because I'm not an impersonator and I think sometimes people get stuck trying to impersonate and it all gets a bit muddy.

Even if I tried to imitate Julie Andrews I would still be Danielle Hope. I just look at what I'm given and go back to basics, singing what's given and reading what's there and trying to find some truth in it.

With such a busy schedule, how do you manage to stay fit and healthy?

I love yoga. It's a very intensive mental and physical practice, but also a very calm one.

I also do interval training and aerial silk trapeze as a fun work out. We do a work out as a cast together before each show. Lots of water, lots of avocado and lots of sleep!

The Sound of Music; New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon; March 30 to April 11; 7.30pm, mats 2.30pm; £23.40 - £48.90; atgtickets.com.