Ahead of Jodie Prenger's latest starring role — in Monty Python’s Spamalot in Manchester from July 5 to 10 — she tells us how nothing beats singing a duet with her pet parrot at home in Blackpool.

"I’D still live at home now, for sure, if it wasn’t for Andrew Lloyd Webber,” admits 30-year-old Jodie Prenger, winner of BBC’s I’d Do Anything competition.

“I’m such a homebird. I miss my mum and dad, and the dogs, and the chickens, tortoise and the ducks I adopted. And, of course, Oscar my parrot.

"I’d sing with him all the time, anything and everything,” she said, followed by her bellowing bubbly laugh.

Life is good for Jodie, who has made a new home, minus the animals, in London’s West End as her career goes from strength to strength. But it’s been a tough journey to the top.

As a little girl, when her love affair with the stage began, Jodie always ended up with the male parts in school plays because she was heavier than the other girls.

And as a young woman she was still turned down for roles because of her size.

In the end she settled for performing as a comedy singer in Blackpool’s cabaret clubs, where she’d sing songs from the musicals and have fun with the audience.

Thanks to sheer determination, something she has in abundance, Jodie went on to sing on Disney cruise ships and later as a warm-up for comedians such as Joe Pasquale and Ken Dodd.

She has certainly had the last laugh now. After shedding an amazing eight stone in 2006 and slimming down to a size 10 on TV’s The Biggest Loser, Jodie’s dreams started to come true.

Her big break came in the form of Nancy in the 2008 West End remake of Oliver, catapulting her into the career she had longed for.

The role, hers after she was voted the nation’s favourite on TV’s I’d Do Anything, was followed by a part in the ensemble for Les Miserables.

And now the seasoned professional is making a return to comedy for a touring version of Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Jodie will appear as The Lady of the Lake in the musical, which will be produced on tour by Howard Panter and Bill Kenwright.

“ I’ve always loved this play and now I get to sing like Shirley Bassey,” said Jodie, who is appearing opposite Marcus Brigstocke as King Arthur and ex-EastEnder Tod Carty.

“It’s a bit like going back to my roots. I feel very at home with comedy. But just don’t tell me to tell you a joke. I’m awful,” she laughed.

“It’s a nice change of pace from the musicals I’ve been doing. And I’ve learned so much. I try to be like a sponge and absorb everything. I want to be the best I can be.

“We’re having such a laugh, too. I keep singing the EastEnders theme tune, subconsciously, when Tod arrives. I can’t help it. It’s like tourette's!”

In the last five years Jodie has been a size 22 and a size 10. Now she’s a size 14 and she’s happier than ever.

“I think I’m at my natural weight. I exercise and eat well, but I’m not about to starve myself and go on a diet of lettuce leaves to look thin. I’d like to give some of these skinny girls a good meal,” she said.

When she’s not performing, Jodie is a self-confessed Twitter addict. As ‘Musical Misses’ she’s always posting messages and after our short conversation she wants me to follow her as one of her online ‘friends’. She just can’t get enough of meeting new people, she tells me.

She’s got that warmth that often comes with being a northerner — something she’s very proud of.

“I’m a northern lass and I love it,” she said in a soft Lancashire accent. “I come home as much as I can. I miss the hills and the markets. I love Blackburn market. We used to go every week for our meat, even for the dogs,” said Jodie, whose love of animals landed her on the panel for TV’s Over The Rainbow to find a Toto for The Wizard Of Oz West End run next year.

And Jodie can’t wait to come back up north with the tour of Spamalot, when a busload of 70 friends will be there to support her.

“My mum is really looking forward to it and so am I. There’s just something special about being on stage up north.”

* SPAMALOT — Opera House, Manchester, July 5 to July 10. Tickets on 0844 847 2277.