Who's this fresh-faced young shop assistant, snapped in her work back in October 1962?

Her name was Pauline Matthews, and she was sweet 16.

She was appearing in the T&A because she had stepped on to the stage at the Alhambra in Bradford at just an hour's notice to fill a gap left by a sick singer.

It was the break that Pauline needed, and set her off on a future career. You'll know Pauline, but probably by the stage name she adopted later on – Kiki Dee.

As Kiki, Pauline went on to forge a massive musical career, and became a household name thanks to her chart-topping duet with Elton John on Don't Go Breaking My Heart.

Our report of October 13, 1962, reported how Pauline auditioned at the theatre to find a replacement for Donna Douglas who was appearing in the Senior Service show at the Alhambra, but had fallen ill and was unable to perform.

At 5.30pm the previous night, Pauline was told she had the part – and was on stage that very night.

We reported: "Three-quarters of an hour later it was time for the curtain to go up, and Pauline overcame her nerves to sing the opening number, the theme song of the show. She did so well that the audience gave her a big burst of applause."

She sung a song in the second performance later that night and sang at both shows on the following evening, the day the piece appeared in the T&A.

The show's company manager Mr D S Robertson had, we reported, spent three afternoons looking for a replacement for his stricken star. He said of Pauline: “She said afterwards she was terrified before the show started, but that it was a great experience. She's a natural.”

It was the first time that Pauline, who was at the time working behind the counter of Boots the Chemist on Broadway, had ever appeared with a professional stage company.

The Senior Service show’s star, Bill Maynard – TV’s Selwyn Froggitt and the Gaffer – presented Pauline with a special gift as a mark of thanks from the company for stepping into the breach.

Pauline had previously cut her singing teeth with small bands at the Mecca Locarno ballroom on Manningham Lane, but it was the Alhambra show that undoubtedly catapulted her towards her international stardom.