Rainbow runner-up Sophie Evans may follow musical dream

Runner-up Sophie Evans says she is looking at her career options after making the final of BBC TV's Over the Rainbow.

Sophie, 17, from Tonypandy, Rhondda, says she could go back to school but may well follow her dream of a musical theatre career.

Student Danielle Hope, from Greater Manchester, won the competition.

But Sophie says Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is now looking "after her" for the next year.

Danielle will now go on to play ruby slippered Dorothy in Lord Lloyd Webber's new West End production next year.

But Sophie, who beat nine others to make it into the final two of the TV show on Saturday, told BBC Radio Wales on Monday a couple of things have already come up for her.

"I spoke to Andrew (Lloyd Webber) yesterday, and one of his friends, Bill Kenwright, who's a casting director, and they said they're going to look after me this year, and I just need to see what's going to happen there.

The teenager added: "I could [go back to school], but I don't know whether I'm going to yet... perhaps I should follow my dream first."

Sophie admitted she had been "very emotional" during the final, and that nerves had finally got to her.

"They've stayed away for most of the weeks but in the final I just felt the pressure."

For the teenager Over the Rainbow proved a tough experience, with criticism often coming her way from the judging panel, including fellow Welsh singer Charlotte Church.

"I did not expect to get as far as I did. And I'm glad that the judges criticised me the way they did because I think it made me a stronger person.

Sophie said being in the TV show and living away from home for the first time had enabled to learn to do everything for herself.

"I had to cook, clean things I've never done before. And I just learnt so many new things. I wouldn't change it for anything."

She also thanked all the people who had kept her in the show by voting for her.

"I know I might have let you down at the end but you've just been the best support I could ask for. I just thank you so so much," she said.