Jodie Prenger
Jodie Christine Prenger (born 12 June 1979) is an English actress and singer, best known for winning the second series of The Biggest Loser in 2006 and the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything in 2008, the latter of which subsequently launched her career in theatre.Barry Humphries, another panellist, who had played Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker, in the original Lionel Bart West End stage production, said "You've got that toughness and also a tenderness.She also performed "I'd Do Anything" with all the Nancy and Oliver finalists; "Son of a Preacher Man"; "Getting to Know You" from the musical The King and I with Laurence ; "Maybe This Time" from the film Cabaret with Jessie Buckley and Samantha Barks as well as also singing "As Long as he Needs Me" and "I Have Nothing" from A Star Is Born before the final vote."[16] In the second part of the live final, Prenger performed her favourite song from the series, "I Have Nothing", and Nancy's tragic love ballad, "As Long As He Needs Me".[19] Prior to that she appeared in the ensemble in Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre from 26 August 2008, in order to gain some experience of performing in the West End.She played her final performance as Nancy on 27 March 2010, and was succeeded by fellow West End leading lady Kerry Ellis, who is best known for her role as Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked.After winning I'd Do Anything, Prenger was given a civic reception in her hometown of Blackpool on 7 June 2008, with a specially erected stage in front of the town hall where she performed several songs from Oliver!.[20][21] Prenger played the role of The Lady of the Lake in the UK tour of the hit musical Spamalot, which began performances at New Wimbledon Theatre on 29 May 2010.Prenger appeared in One Man, Two Guvnors at the Haymarket Theatre in London, alongside Owain Arthur who took over the role of Francis Henshall from Tony award-winning actor James Corden.≤[23] In 2017/2018, Prenger played the lead role of Kelly in the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends The Musical alongside Andrew Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Kevin Kennedy, Natalie Anderson, Neil Hurst and Rachel Wooding[24] In 2019, Prenger toured the UK in Abigail's Party alongside Coronation Street's Vicky Binns.[25] and in 2020 played of Helen in a UK tour of || A Taste of Honey before reprising the role at the Trafalgar Studios in London from January until March 2020.During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Prenger wrote and produced Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball with Neil Hurst, which was performed at the Turbine Theatre from November until December 2020.[27] In February 2023, it was announced that Prenger would be reprising the role of Miss Hannigan in a UK tour of Annie at selected venues, alternating with Paul O'Grady and Elaine C.In April 2011, she played Diane new drama series, Candy Cabs, about a group of friends who set up a female-only taxi company in a seaside town in Northern England.[37] In April 2012, Prenger announced her engagement to boyfriend of two years, Simon Booth, soon after her father Marty died of kidney cancer.