Laura knows how Cheryl fights for her fame

Former Whitnash Primary School and Myton School pupil Laura Hickerton was spotted by a researcher for the Sky Living reality television show Bigger Than.

After a tough selection process and eight weeks of filming, the 23-year-old drama graduate, who now lives in Oval, was picked as the best of the three remaining contestants and won a potentially lucrative contract with an agency which could lead to her making appearances posing as the Girls Aloud singer.

Miss Hickerton said: “I’d always watched Cheryl on X Factor and in Girls Aloud and I’ve always liked her.

“But then I had to start living like her and I saw what she puts herself through and it’s quite scary.”

Miss Hickerton had to follow the same strict diet and fitness regime as Cheryl. dropping from a dress size 16 to a ten.

She also had to learn to dance and perform like the celebrity and had to trick passers by into thinking she was the star while a camera crew and photographers followed her.

Although she enjoyed the VIP treatment Miss Hickerton also got a glimpse of the downside of fame.

She said: “I can understand now why celebrities all wear caps and sunglasses in public so they aren’t noticed.”