Ashley Russell is in the final 12 of BBC1's 'I'd Do Anything' which aims to find a girl to play Nancy in London's West End.

And as she prepares to perform live on BBC1 this Saturday when viewers will decide her fate, the Herald is calling on readers to back our girl .

The 24-year-old from Grangemouth said: "We are moving into the studio now and getting costumes ready.

"I'm really excited and really nervous, but I think nerves are good as they keep me focused and on my toes.

''I was really interested in the role and took the audition in my stride, then, before I knew it, I was getting further and further in the contest."

After leaving school, Ashley completed a BA in Acting at Queen Margaret University before winning the Dame Judy Dench Scholarship to study Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London.

Mum Jane now lives in Dubai but will be in London at the weekend to see Ashley perform in the first of the live shows.

She said: "There are no words to describe how proud I am of Ashley.

"In my heart I always knew she would be someway famous, but national TV exposure to in a Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in the West End was way beyond my frame of reference.

"One of the things I love about Ashley is that this would never be beyond hers!

"I know she will do us proud and nobody will be more proud than her dad Andrew and I."

The family has known of Ashley's success for a few weeks but were sworn to secrecy until the final 12 girls, out of 5000 auditionees, were announced on Saturday.

Ashley added: "The house we're in is amazing and the more it goes on the more I want to win.

''This week I have a fab song and a fab costume and it is great to have so much support. I'm really looking forward to it.

''I want to give something back to everyone who has supported me."
Gerry Docherty, former rector of Grangemouth High School, who directed Ashley in school shows, said: "She played many roles in school productions and had great enthusiasm and really put herself into a part. She always sparkled."

Sheena Graham, Ashley's music teacher at Grangemouth High, said: "I think this is an amazing achievement and one she is definitely up to.

"She was always very talented and has something very special about her.

"This part could open so many doors for her."

Ashley was also a member of Falkirk Children's and Youth Theatres, and trained with the late Caroline Newlands Dance School until she was 12 when she moved to Grangemouth-based McKechnie School of Dance.

Former Children's Theatre choreographer Irene Langlands said: "Bill Graham had a habit of saying 'I want you and you to audition for this part'. One year, he didn't mention Ashley's name, so she asked him if
she could audition. Unusually, he said okay.

"She got the part and was fantastic.''

Since graduating, Ashley has played a number of professional theatre roles, and also starred in a TV ad for radio station Beat 106.

Friends have launched an Internet campaign to drum up support for her.

Kelly McShane, Ashley's best friend, who has set up Bebo and Facebook fan sites, said: "I'm really excited for her, she's made for this part.

"She's been trying for so long and this could be her big break.''

You can see Ashley, and vote for her to be Nancy, on BBC1 this Saturday at 6.50 p.m., with the results programme on Sunday at 7.30 p.m.