Tracey GrayA Norwich teenager who had her hopes of starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical dashed has spoken about her experiences working with the grand master of musical theatre.Tracey Gray

A Norwich teenager who had her hopes of starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical dashed has spoken about her experiences working with the grand master of musical theatre.

Tegan Edwards, from Thorpe Hamlet, was one of the final 20 girls in Lloyd Webber's BBC show, Over the Rainbow, which is searching for a talented youngster to play the role of Dorothy in a new production of the Wizard of Oz.

But the 17-year-old found out on the live show last Saturday that she would not be going any further in the competition.

However, the knockback has only served to strength Tegan's resolve.

She said: 'It has been a difficult couple of days since it ended; it is also difficult now seeing each of the girls being voted off one by one each week, but it has been an amazing experience and I have learnt so much about reality television and how it works, and getting used to the cameras being there all the time. I have also made so many new friends and contacts.'

Tegan, who is currently studying at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, developed a passion for singing at the age of six, when she was at Horsford First School and joined the school choir.

She has also been a member of the Norfolk Youth Music Theatre based in Sheringham.

She applied for Over the Rainbow on her mum Kim's suggestion and made it through three auditions to be picked as one of the final 20 girls.

She said: 'The best part is definitely the live shows, just knowing that it was being broadcast to about seven million people. I have never been involved in anything like that before.

'Andrew Lloyd Webber is also a really lovely guy. I remember sitting at his house having cake and tea, and thinking how surreal it all was. He really cares for the welfare of everyone taking part and was always checking we were okay.'

The former Thorpe House School pupil is hoping her presence on the show will lead to more acting and theatre work. She is also hoping to go on to attend the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where her brother Bart, 21, who has starred in Eastenders, is studying.

Her tip for the girl likely to land the prized ruby red slippers is 17-year-old Sophie Evans from Wales.

She said: 'She is a great natural talent and definitely one to watch; she has never done anything like this before and she is just lovely to work with.'

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