LANCASHIRE singer Emily Clark admits there are some nights when she takes to the stage to perform in front of thousands of eager fans and has to pinch herself.

“I've got the best job in the world,” said 28-year-old Emily, who was born in Hoghton and studied at Higher Walton Primary School.

“I really love it. I work very hard but it’s the best thing I've ever done.

“I get to travel the length and breadth of the country on tour and there's a great working atmosphere. All the cast and crew are so talented. The only downside is the travelling, which can get a bit boring after a while.”

Emily's success story is all the more impressive when you consider she did not attend an expensive performing arts school or even a drama club.

“I've always loved singing and being on stage. Even off stage I'm a bit of a drama queen, to be honest. I like the attention, but there wasn't really any interest around me when I was younger," she said frankly.

“It didn't even occur to me as a career option that I could choose. I always thought of performing as something I'd have to have as a hobby.

“But when I grew up a bit my friends kept saying ‘You have to do something, you're just that kind of person’ and so eventually I thought ‘Right then, I will’.

After that Emily began to read The Stage newspaper and started going to auditions.

“I put a lot into it and went to audition after audition. I got knocked back lots of times but I just kept going and learned not to take it personally. It's the only way. I’ve done all types of work, in tribute bands and shows, but nothing as big as this. I couldn't believe it after the audition when Steve said I had the job.”

This is Emily's third year of touring with Vampires Rock, written by Steve Steinman (who made his name as a Meat Loaf tribute artist) and in its latest incarnation the show has a special guest — punk queen Toyah Willcox.

The musical comedy is set in the year 2030 in New York.

In a nutshell, innocent singer Pandora Rosie Honeybox (Emily) turns up for an audition for the job of singer in the band at the Live and Let Die club.

Soon Pandora falls in love with club owner Baron Von Rockula (Steinman), who rather inconveniently turns out to be a vampire.

After a few gory scenes and tussles with Toyah (who plays Von Rockula's 1,000-year-old vampire wife), Pandora is transformed into a vampire goddess who sings her way through rock anthems by Meat Loaf, AC/DC, Rolling Stones and Queen.

“Pandora is a great character to play because she starts off as a bit of a geek,” said Emily.

“My costume at the beginning of the show is a hat and glasses. Then when I'm falling in love with the main man I wear an outfit of lace and chains and finally I'm in a catsuit with fangs and blood everywhere — it's a lot of fun.

“This tour is especially good because Toyah is on board. She's a really lovely lady and she's nice to work with. Because she's been in the public eye for years she attracts new audiences and it's good for me because she gives me advice on how to keep my voice strong. She's definitely added something to the show.”

Steinman is currently organising a tour of Europe and possibly a spot in Vegas for the show — something Emily is looking forward to.

“God, I'd love to tour Europe or go to Vegas," she said. "I wouldn't want to come back.

“The saddest part of ever tour is the end when you have to leave your friends and go home. You try to tell your family the funny stories about what happened but they don't really understand what you're talking about. I do love going to visit my mum in Mill Hill, Blackburn, though.”

But Emily insists she never lets her success go to her head.

“Sometimes I'm on stage singing and I think 'I can't believe I'm doing this',” she said. “I'm just an ordinary girl from Lancashire and I'm up there with everybody watching me. It's the best job ever.”

l See Emily Clark in Vampires Rock at Blackpool Opera House Theatre, Winter Gardens, tonight, Saturday, November 15. Call 0870 380 1111.