'I want to get my teeth stuck into something new'

Singer and musical theatre star Sam Bailey on fame, acting ambitions and her son's health battle

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Former prison officer Sam Bailey shot to fame after winning The X Factor in 2013 and since then, she's not only forged a successful singing career, but has also become a force to be reckoned with in musical theatre, with roles in everything from Chicago to Everybody's Talking About Jamie. But as we catch up with her after one of her powerhouse performances at the Paul Stank Charitable Trust Summer Ball, it's clear that fame hasn't gone to her head.

The Leicester-based mum-of-three, who has been married to husband Craig Pearson for 22 years, is warm and down-to-earth as she stops to pose for selfies with fans.

Here, Sam, 48, opens up about her son Tommy's health challenges, hanging out with Rebekah Vardy, her career goals and why she'll always be grateful to Adolescence star Stephen Graham...

Your son Tommy, who is autistic, was diagnosed with epilepsy in May last year. That must have been terrifying...

It's been a mad time. We have to normalise it now - and educate people on what to do in certain situations. Wherever I am in the world, I have two alarms set to UK time - one at 7am and one at 7pm, so I can call Tommy and check that he's taken his meds. If he doesn't, six or seven hours later he could have a massive seizure.

How are your kids?