Suzanne Shaw

Current Role

Suzanne Shaw is about to take the part of Roxy Hart in the West End Production of Chicago. The star will be playing the part for a short period from 2nd June until 12th July.

Early Life

Suzanne Shaw was born in Bury, Lancashire in 1981 and was keen to start performing from an early age. She began ballet lessons at the age of two and attended the Lupino and Freelance Dance School when she was three where she learned all forms of dance. At the age of five, Suzanne performed in her first show, Annie. After this, during the following few years, she joined an amateur dramatics society and took part in many varied productions including The Sound of Music and Showboat.

Suzanne developed her musical skills also, learning to play recorder and violin at St Mary's Primary School and later the saxophone at St Gabriels High School. From there, Suzanne went on to attend Oldham College where she studied Performing Arts with extra modules in Acting Essentials and Devising and Developing Performance. The star then joined an Abba tribute band called The Right Stuff, which toured around the world. This was the beginning of Suzanne's professional career.

Career Highlights

Having just turned 20, Suzanne's first big break came in the form of a reality TV show, Popstars. She was successful and joined four other members of the public in forming the pop group, Hear'Say which had a number one hit off the back of the TV show. The group's first single, entitled "Pure and Simple" was the fastest selling non-charitable record ever, selling 1.3 million copies. Like most reality TV pop groups, however, Hear'Say failed to last longer than two years.

Post Hear'Say and the star began to appear on the stage in earnest, landing roles in Summer Holiday and Jospeh and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Suzanne then began acting for pantomimes and landed the lead part in Snow White, which was hailed as the UK's best pantomime of the year.

Other work in recent years included parts in ITV's The Bill, The Court on Channel 4 and the popular dance show, Dancing On Ice. Suzanne won the show after reportedly chipping a bone just two weeks before the show finale. In true testament to her talent and skill, she scored a flawless five sixes with the judges in two of her routines - a feat which has never been matched by another contestant on the show.

Interesting Facts

• Suzanne Shaw auditioned for the role of Coronation Street's Maria Sutherland along with Girls Aloud member, Kimberly Walsh.
• Suzanne Shaw had a relationship with Zach Lichman (AKA Big Brother's Ziggy) before he became famous on the reality TV show.