SINGING sensation Su Annagib says she was left "excited but exhausted" by her first taste of the showbiz life.

The winner of Stoke's Top Talent and guest star of this year's Regent Theatre panto spent a hectic day in London being introduced to a world she had always dreamed of joining.

Since her contest-winning rendition of Celine Dion's Think Twice in the grand final of the competition 10 days ago, Su's life has been a whirlwind of activity and yesterday was no exception.

Her day started with a visit to the Fortune Theatre in the West End, headquarters of First Family, the company producing Dick Whittington at The Regent this Christmas.

Marketing manager Laura Taylor welcomed Su to the team and showed her around the First Family offices, which act as the control centre for all 12 pantos produced by the company around the country.

The walls of the office were filled with posters from past pantos, starring the likes of Henry Winkler, Steve Guttenberg, Patsy Kensit and Simon Callow, giving Su an idea of the kind of adventure she is about to embark on.

But for Su, these were just the latest steps in a journey that started more than 20 years ago, when she first discovered her passion for singing.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Birmingham, said: "When I was six, my sister Lateefah bought me a book called 'The Girl Who Wanted to be Beautiful'. I was a bit of a tomboy then so she wanted me to become more of a pretty girl. The book came with a tape of songs, and I was always singing them.

"When I was in primary school our teacher asked if any of us had a talent. I stood up and sang one of the songs from the tape. She thought it was so good she called in the headmaster and music teacher. Since then it's always been my dream to be a professional."

Su continued to sing throughout her childhood, performing for the residents of old people's homes and later entering karaoke competitions.

Although Stoke's Top Talent was the first time she had performed in front of such a big audience, boyfriend Lytton Page and best mate Stephanie Priest, who accompanied Su to London, were both confident she'd win.

Lytton, aged 30, who lives with Su in Bradeley, said: "Su's singing was actually one of the things that attracted me to her. She was doing karaoke at the students' union bar at Liverpool John Moores University, singing the Celine Dion song she sang in the final.

"It was a strong competition in the final, but she deserved to win."

Stephanie, from Chell, who works with Su in the media department of Stoke-on-Trent College, said: "When I first started working with Su about three years ago she was always talking about going to karaoke. When we finally went a few months later and I heard her sing for the first time my jaw just dropped. She had an amazing voice as well as being really beautiful.

"I never had any doubts she would win Stoke's Top Talent. But since she won it she's stayed the same nice person she was before."

Despite her love of singing, Su only entered the competition after being talked into it by her students, and she was stunned when she was announced as the winner following a tense and closely-fought contest.

She is now eagerly awaiting her role in Dick Whittington, which will also star Potteries entertainer Jonathan Wilkes and Sheila Ferguson, of Three Degrees fame.

Su added: "Since I won the competition I've been so busy. I've had about 300 emails from friends and family and my students congratulating me. I spent hours replying to each of them.

"I'm really excited about the panto though, I'm really looking forward to it."

The visit to First Family was followed by a trip to Jerwood Space studios in Southwark, where Su tried on her panto costume for the first time and posed for some publicity pictures, before signing her panto contract.

Kevin Wood, producer of the panto, said he had been impressed with Su's talent from the first time he saw her perform, and was confident that she would be a great addition to the cast.

He said: "Right from the first heat I knew she was the front-runner, and as she progressed through the rounds she just got better and better.

"Obviously we didn't know she would win until the final, but now that she is in the panto I think she'll fit in quite easily. There's a character that's usually played by a man, the Sultan of Morocco, but there's no reason why it can't be played by a woman, so Su will now be the Sultana."

While Su will only be in a few scenes, her role will be integral to the plot. As a reward for ridding her country of a plague of rats, the Sultana presents Dick Whittington with the riches that allow him to fulfil his destiny in London.

Panto writer Eric Potts was present at the final of Stoke's Top Talent, so he will know how to make the most of Su's talents in the show.

Kevin added: "Dan Hewitt, who won the first Stoke's Top Talent, was brilliant in our panto last year. Because panto is a collaboration with the local community, it's always good if we can involve as many local people as possible. It means the community has more ownership of the show."

Following a lengthy photo shoot at the studios, Su and her friends were treated to a bite to eat before she was asked to pose for yet more photos around the sights of London.

She said: "I've had a really fun day, it's been exciting but exhausting. It all seems a bit more real to me now.

"I really can't wait for the panto now."

**Video of Su's trip to London will be available later today