Bradford pop star Kimberley Walsh has returned to her first love – the stage – and this week began her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek – The Musical, in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Here she talks about taking on the role and what the future holds for Girls Aloud.

Q: You’ve always been very open about your love of musicals, Kimberley. So were you looking for a part like Princess Fiona – or did Shrek come looking for you?

A: It was quite a natural thing to fall into even though I wasn’t actively looking for it. I think filming The Passions of Girls Aloud [TV show] where I got to go back and do the musical thing made me realise it’s something I’ve always had a love for, alongside my main music career. I’ve been trying my hand at quite a lot of things recently what with the Horrid Henry film and I didn’t know quite what I was going to do next. But the opportunity came up for me, I was open to it and this seemed the perfect role to get into for my adult debut.

Q: Because this isn’t your first time on a musical stage, is it?

A: No. I played the Young Cosette in Les Miserables (at the Alhambra) when I was 12. All I ever wanted to do was sing. I didn’t care in what context. I just knew that singing was what I enjoyed the most and what I was supposed to do. So I took any avenue that would allow me to sing and perform. I would have auditioned for musicals had I not got into the band, I think. But I’ve always loved making music so I think I would have found that creative outlet in writing and recording in the studio somehow eventually. I may have ended up doing it the other way round but either way, I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world.

Q: Is it strange seeing your name up there outside Drury Lane without the rest of Girls Aloud?

A: It’s a weird one. I really want to do this but only because I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. I don’t feel like I’ve got a point to prove. And the thing that’s nicest about it is that I’m playing a character. I’ll be performing but not as myself for once. It gives you a bit more freedom and I do like that. You can zone into it more. I’d really miss the girls if I were performing on my own. But there are a lot of people in this show! So it feels like being part of another big family after the Girls Aloud family.

Q: Like most women, Fiona worries about her looks from time to time. Can you relate to that?

A: It’s a bit different for Fiona – she’s turning into an ogre every single night! I think for most normal women, it depends on how you feel on any given day. I’m not the most confident person in the world but I don’t let appearances get me down. How I look is not the be all and end all of my life.

Q: What’s the main message of Shrek?

A: Just that age-old moral: don’t judge a book by its cover. And that it’s okay to be different. I think it’s great that kids can come and watch the show and take that message away, but at the same time, that there’s enough humour in there for the adults too.

Q: Next year is Girls Aloud’s tenth anniversary. Are you planning a big celebration?

A. It’s very early days as it’s still quite a way away. But yes, we are starting to talk about plans for next year. We will definitely be doing something to mark it; we’re not sure what yet. A whole decade! It’s crazy looking back, like seeing your life flash before your eyes. You think, ‘How did this all happen?’ It’s been such a busy ten years, it will be nice to get back together and share all our experiences, both as a band and the ones we’ve had on our own, like Shrek The Musical.