HAMPSHIRE'S Helena Blackman has landed her first starring role in the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre.

The 23-year-old finalist in the hit BBC reality TV show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? is set to star as Gypsy Rose Lee in the production of Gypsy at the Wales Millennium Centre on Sunday, October 29.

Helena, a former Swanmore Secondary School pupil, will begin her rehearsals on October 16 and star alongside actress Julia Mackenzie.

Gypsy tells the story of the burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and her pushy mother who sets out to find fame and fortune for her two daughters.

Coincidentally music maestro Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was behind the BBC search for a star for his production of The Sound Of Music, is patron of the festival.

Helena has also landed the lead role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Leicester Haymarket from December 1 to January 20.

Helena said: "I'm really looking forward to it - it should be really good fun. It's going to be the last show in the old theatre before they move to a brand new centre so it should be a really special night.

"I'm also competing in BBC Radio 2's Voice of Musical Theatre competition in October. I entered it before I went on the BBC1 Maria show but the good thing is if you win it you get a recording contract.

"I'm keeping myself very busy at the moment and to be honest I don't think it's humanly possible to fit any more in to my busy schedule."

The Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre is the centrepiece of the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre and a unique opportunity to be heard by producers, directors and agents around the world.

If Helena wins she will receive a cash prize, a demo recording opportunity and the title of BBC Radio 2 New Voice of Musical Theatre.