Singer Victoria Jones has a lorra lorra laughs becoming 'our' Cilla night after night on tour.

Cilla And The Shades Of the 60s takes a musical journey through the life and times of the famous Liverpudlian, from her days at the Cavern through to her own TV shows, even including a Blind Date moment.

"We aim to bring out her personality, her sense of humour through anecdotes and of course her unique voice,'' said Victoria. "You can't have an off day when you are Cilla. The Blind Date section is my favourite when we take a lucky volunteer from the audience.''

Victoria has completed three years in the show as Cilla and this last year she has been working with a new trio of backing singers known as The Shades.

"They bring a breath of energy to the show, they are a dream to work with and have fabulous voices and harmonies. I was their tour guide when we were in Liverpool, I took them to see Cilla's statue, The Cavern and the docks, so many beautiful sights.''

Victoria was born and bred in Liverpool and believes she was born in the right place but the wrong era as she has soaked up all the Mersey beat sounds and trendy 1960s fashions.

"I love the music of the era, my favourite song is Angel Baby by Rosie and The Originals. All the 1960s music has that raw sound, it is a beautiful warm feel,'' she said. "My home is decorated in orange and lime green.''

After completing her B-Tech in Performing Arts, Victoria landed a job with Disneyland Paris singing in an Elvis show. During her time across the channel she went on to join a country band called The Rodeo Girls. "We had the whole shebang, the Stetsons, boots and the cowboy chaps and we toured the festivals.''

The singer is a fully qualified cheerleader instructor and was invited to perform at the European Cheerleader Championships held in Manchester.

"Cheerleading is good for giving a positive attitude and it is a good way to teach girls self confidence,'' said Victoria.

As a little girl herself, Victoria would go to dance lessons every Saturday and jump on any chance of karaoke, just so she could sing. Her parents advised her to stay on at school and go to university as she had done well in her GCSEs, but she had set her heart on becoming a singer.

"Now they are so supportive and turn up at every gig they can,'' said the singer, who is a great favourite on the cruise ships, performing as The Liver Bird.

During her time performing in musical theatre, particularly Vampires Rock, the singer met musician Matt Zero, and they are currently producing Victoria's first originals album entitled Raise The Lady.

"Hopefully it will be out by the end of this year,'' she said. "It is a collaboration, but he does most of the work!''

Victoria was part of the One And Only TV show, hosted by Graham Norton, where she appeared as a tribute to Kylie Minogue. She was voted the number one Kylie tribute in the UK.

As a child of the 1980s Victoria says she would watch Cilla every Saturday night, it was part of growing up, and when she got into her music she was blown away by the vocal range of the super star. In her show Victoria sings You’re My World and Anyone Who Had a Heart while the Shades trio blast through a decade of hits by Cilla’s friends and co-stars, such as I Only Want to be With You and River Deep Mountain High.

Cilla And the Shades of the 60s swing into Swindon's Wyvern Theatre on Tuesday, June 26 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatares.co.uk - Flicky Harrison