I was born in Blackpool so apparently that makes me a "Sangronan"! As a kid I did spend many a happy hour making sandcastles!
I have loved music and dance from the age of 5. A proper little Shirley Temple! Mum said I was always singing away to all her records. My dear Mum played such an important part in my showbiz career, encouraging and setting me on the right track.
My Mum, Lyn Dell, was a professional entertainer who began her career in the famous Children's Ballet at the Blackpool Tower. There she was taught to play her beloved instruments, marimba, vibraphone and xylophone. There began a full and exciting career as a solo musical act, playing Theatres of the day, Radio and Television. Dad, although not in the business, loves music and fondly watches from the wings.
I trained at the Whittaker School of Dance & Drama and later at Sue Turner's School of Dance in Blackpool. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in annual school concerts, dance festivals and local pantomimes. Basically, whenever I had the chance to perform, I was there - Invaluable experience. I loved Tap, Ballet and Modern Dance, but it was the singing that captured my heart and fired my imagination.
I can remember, as an enthusiastic 9 year old, singing my heart out as part of the Langdale School choir, appearing at the Blackpool Opera House, supporting the legendary Ken Dodd! I was in awe! Later at 13, my mum would take me to see him star in the midnight matinee at the Grand Theatre. I can remember being overwhelmed by his talent, coming out of the theatre at 5 am, Ken had been on stage for hours - what's new!
Little did I know that in years to come, he would come along as a friend to support me in Cottle and Austen's Electric Circus, when we appeared at Sefton Park, Liverpool. After the performance, a group of autograph hunters circled around Ken, how thrilled I was to explain to the bemused Romanian dancers, who the tall gentleman in the long overcoat was! A hugely talented comic legend and after my dear mum, one of my greatest inspirations.
After being spotted by a local agent in a show at the Grand Theatre, I began my professional career on the South Pier, Blackpool (like Mum!) as a support act in the "Frank Carson Laughter Show". That Christmas, I played the title role in "Aladdin" at the Playhouse Theatre, Epsom. Impressario Duggie Chapman then signed me up for 12 months work and I was able to give up my day job as a Blackpool Civil Servant. I have been so fortunate and have rarely been out of work since. I was to gain fabulous experience in Summer Season, Music Hall Productions in the U.S. and leading roles in Pantomime.
The next chapter in my career began at Chessington World of Adventures, where I lived and worked as vocalist/presenter in the Big Top Show for 5 years. Nobody ever believed I lived behind the circus Big Top with the Runaway Mine Train to my right and the monkeys to my left - or was it the clowns!
I made some life-long friends at Chessington. I was able to perform at many of London's leading venues, including The Grosvenor House Hotel, Café De Paris and The Hammersmith Palais. I became very busy with my cabaret act and also as lead female vocalist with The Ken Mackintosh Orchestra and Vocalist/Front-person with the London function band "Mystique".
Cabaret is my first love. I adore the intimacy and the interaction you get with the audience. Nothing like it! My cabaret then took me aboard the cruise ships and around the Mediterranean hotels. Lovely job. Cruising now forms a large part of my work.
In 1999 I ran off and joined the circus! I became singing ringmistress for Cottle & Austen's Electric Circus touring the length and breadth of the U.K. and Ireland! What a great experience. A wonderful opportunity for a singer to work with such fabulous speciality acts, to be performing "twice nightly" 12 shows a week, and to set up in a different town each Sunday night.
I was with the show as their singer/M.C. for 6 years on the road. New challenges every day! I wasn't a stranger to the world of circus. Previously I'd been presenter for Gerry Cottle's Daredevil Show at Wembley, replacing Jeremy Beadle, no less! I loved it! Then I was singing presenter for Chipperfields at the Point Theatre, Dublin. I love the camaraderie and the special buzz about the circus. It gets in the blood!
Since leaving the circus in January 2005, I have returned to my first love, cabaret and have found myself very busy on the road performing in venues up and down the country and back on the high seas on the cruise liners working for P&O and Page & Moy Cruises.
I have come a long way from Miss Whittaker's ballet class in Coronation Street, Blackpool! Thank you Mum, for giving me the music and the confidence, to make the most of my life. I adore performing, love travelling and meeting people. How lucky am I to be doing what I love, share happy smiles and Happy Talk and to make people happy. A joyful life, I couldn't ask for more. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Lots of love
From Emma xxx