Interview: Emma Robbins of Sheila's Wheels

2:45pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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IT's the TV advert that's become a phenomenon.

And now the Sheila's Wheels girls will be heading to Colne Muni next week with a brand new theatrical show.

For one of the trio, Emma Robbins, it will also give her the chance to catch up with brother Ted, the East Lancashire comedian and radio presenter who has been persuaded to take part in the show.

WHEN Emma Robbins went along for an audition for a new TV commercial she little realised it would lead to her becoming a member of a group with a cult following - and embarking on a national tour.

Emma is one third of Sheila's Wheels, the sequinned Sixties starlets who dress in pink and promote an insurance company.

She's also the younger sister of Radio Lancashire presenter Ted and comedienne and impressionist Kate.

On Friday, Emma will be coming to Colne Muni for a very special Sheila's Wheels show.

"This will be the first time we have done a tour of regional theatres," said Emma. "But Colne will be really different because we've persuaded Ted to join us.

"He has said if we sew three of our dresses together he'll join us for a song but we've drawn the line at that. Instead he'll be doing comedy for the first half of the show and then we take over.

"It starts with us singing Motown hits from the girl groups like the Supremes but then we throw in a bit of Bananarama and finish with a medley of weather-related songs (Sheila's Wheels now sponsors the weather forecast on ITV)."

As a successful session singer - she's worked with the likes of Gary Numan, Michael Bolton and Michael Ball - Emma never expected to achieve stardom through an advert.

"It has been amazing," she said. "We never dreamed that the whole thing would take off as it has. We've got this massive gay following and with students but I think this new show will appeal to a whole new audience."

Emma's younger sister Amy is currently starring in the ITV drama The Royal.

"She's a proper actress," said Emma. "She said to me I can't believe you've got famous for doing just one advert'."

It was inevitable that Emma would persue a career in showbiz.

Growing up in Liverpool, Beatle Paul McCartney was a familiar visitor to the family home. "I'd come home and find Paul singin in the front room - hat was normal for me," said Emma.

As well as being in Sheila's Wheels - she's the dark haired on in case you were wondering, Emma's other claim to fame is that she is married to a Teletubby.

"Yes, it's true, I'm Mrs Tinky Winky," she laughed. "My husband is a choreographer - he's actually choreographed this show - but he's also been a Teletubby for five years.

"Sheila's Wheels have even played a gig with the Teletubbies last year. It must have been a strange experience for our kids to see both parents playing in a show like that."

With the Muni date being on elder berother Ted's home turf, Emma and the girls are making the most of it.

"We're all going back to stay with Ted after the show so there'll be quite a party," she laughed. "He's a great host and is such a lovely man. It will be really good to spend some time with him."

The success of Sheila's Wheels has meant that Emma has had to put some of her other projects on hold.

"I do have a small jazz band, but that's gone on the backburner for the moment," she said.

"But it's great fun. We all get on really well. I went along to the audition with Cathi - the only genuine Aussie in the group - we've worked together as backing singers for many years."

• Sheila's Wheels and Ted Robbins, Colne Muni, Friday, April 25. Details from 01282 661234