After seeing herself in some photos, published in the 1986 flashback photo news in the Watford Observer, Joanne Bispham tells of how she made it in the industry.

The 32-year-old dancer trained at the Bushey School of Dance until she was 16, before going on to train in musical theatre and dance at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where she graduated with the Award for Achievement in Ballet.

Since graduating Ms Bispham has performed all over the world in various productions.

She said: "I am lucky enough to dance the title lead role of The Spirit in Spirit of the Dance in the UK and European tours, and I also headlined the first Russian tour of the show. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to support several big names including Sheryl Crown in San Francisco and Gloria Gaynor in Budapest."

Most recently, the Bushey-born star was a dancer in the film, The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and also featured in the TV shows, Mr Selfridge, Eastenders and Russell Howard's Good News.

Ms Bispham, who lives with her sister, Sara Bispham in Pinner Road, said: "It was really nice to see the photo of that little four-year-old me in the Watford Observer. It just shows I was right to follow my dreams of being a dancer as I now have a career spanning more than 20 years in the industry and hopefully with several more exciting opportunities to come.

"I am now also moving into choreography. Last year I choreographed The Wedding Singer at Watford Palace Theatre - it was great to be involved with a local society again. I performed with Cassio Operatic Society when I was a teenager, and it was lovely to work with them as choreographer."

Ms Bispham is currently choreographing Sister Act which will be performed at the Winston Churchill Theatre in April, and will also be teaching dance at her sister's new performing arts school, The Academy, in Bushey, which opened on February 28.