Strictly Come Dancing singer Hayley Sanderson steps out

Hayley appeared in Aladdin and Sweet Charity in Peterborough

Hayley Sanderson has been adding a sprinkle of Cambridgeshire to the Strictly Come Dancing sequins recently.

The Peterborough girl has risen through the musical ranks to become an in-house singer on the popular BBC One dance contest show.

On top of that she has released her debut album, Just Songs, her stripped down collection of original tracks and classic covers.

Despite a whirlwind career she still has time to come home to visit her mum.

Hayley's singing career started on the boards at Peterborough's Key Theatre, performing in pantomime, but these days she submerges herself in the buzz of London.

Strictly break

"I've been writing since about the age of 12 in studios, writing albums and recording," she told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Sue Dougan.

"But also there's the work side of me that does sessions, Strictly, adverts, all sorts of things."

When she was 12 Hayley won a star search contest in her home city and used the £1,000 prize money to buy herself a PA system for performing.

A stint in a girl group and a Pink Floyd tribute band called Think Floyd followed before Strictly came calling in 2007.

"That particular gig came from the musical director Dave Arch and one of the other singers Tommy [Blaize]," recalled Hayley.

Hayley won a star search competition when she was 12

"They just thought I was quite quick and good at the lead things as well as the backing vocals. They offered me the gig when one of the girls left and I was very excited."

Angry dancers

While performing on one of the most watched TV shows has its benefits, Hayley admits the format can mean she has to leave a part of herself off stage.

She said: "You lose a bit of your personality because the phrasing and the timing, and the way you're singing and the style, has to be as close to the record as possible.

"You can't start improvising or coming in when you fancy like you would in a live gig. If you do they get very angry.

"When you get something like Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Michael Jackson or Queen it's a nightmare because there are hundreds of vocals on these tracks just overlapping each other."

Hayley performed a track for Sue Dougan's Afternoon Show which is on the new album Just Songs. Find out more about the Peterborough singer using the links on the right and read her Strictly blog on her website .