Growing up, Cheryl Baker’s parents couldn’t afford to send her to stage school. Now the Eurovision winner is hoping to give young people the opportunities she never had.

The singer and TV presenter said people had been telling her for several years to set up her own theatre class.

But after working with Claire Beddow, who opened The Beddow Academy in Dover in 1994, she decided to go ahead with the idea and starting looking for a location.

She said: “I come from East London and my mum and dad couldn’t afford to send me to stage school or singing lessons. I wanted to go to an area where children may be in the same position as I was.

“I’m really excited to be coming to the Medway Towns and bringing the school to them.”

Based at MidKent College, The Cheryl Baker Theatre Workshop will give those aged 14 to 21 the opportunity to create a musical production, whilst working with professional singers, actors and choreographers.

Cheryl has set the fees for the school really low at just £18.50 a week, with a 30% discount for siblings. She is hoping to bring more local businesses on board to sponsor some of the places.

“Fourteen to 21-year-olds are the ones who have the passion and the drive,” she said. “But they are also expected to be more independent so they can’t all afford to go to vocational college or stage schools.”

The workshop will not be run as classes, instead Cheryl said it is all about performing and they will work to the strengths of the young people.

The term starts on Sunday, November 8, and from day one the group will be working towards a performance in March - although Cheryl is keeping her lips sealed on which show it’s going to be.

The Cheryl Baker Theatre Workshop is holding a free open day on Sunday, October 25, from 10am until noon, at MidKent College.

Places are free and can be booked via info@cbtw.co.uk or on 07802 260858.

For more information visit www.cbtw.co.uk