Alexandra Burke emerged triumphant from the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The plucky singer displayed true grit and determination to pass the gruelling process and become the last woman standing on the gruelling Channel Four show, which recreates SAS selection.
She says the experience is a world away from her latest adventure, donning sequins and sparkle to star in panto in Manchester.
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The West End star makes her pantomime debut playing the Sprit of the Ring in Aladdin at the Opera House this Christmas.
"It's the complete opposite," she laughed.
"Panto is so different (from SAS: Who Dares Wins).
"There was a lot of mud and the panto experience is about love and joy. It didn't have that."
The Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins final saw Alexandra, former Love Island star Wes Nelson and Paralympian Aled Davies emerge victorious during last Sunday night's final.
The three celebrities all passed after being put through an intense interrogation process filmed on the remote island of Raasay in the Scottish Hebrides.
Several interrogators were sent in to try and make the celebrities reveal why they were on the island with tactics including dousing them in cold water.
The star, who shot to fame on the X Factor in 2008 and won the ITV talent show, says the harrowing experience has changed her as a person.
"I loved it. You never knew what was going to be thrown at you," she said.
"It taught me to take things one moment at a time and not worry about what's in front of you.
"It's changed me as a human and my friends and family turn to me and say I'm a different person."
Alexandra, 33, was spurred on in the contest by the memory of her late mother Melissa Bell, who died in her arms in 2017.
She spoke movingly about being inspired by the late singer on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
"I get my strength from my mum.
"I watched her going through so much in life and she was a massive inspiration to me," she told us.
Alexandra has topped the UK singles chart with hits including Bad Boys, Broken Heels, Hallelujah and Start Without You after her X Factor victory in 2008.
Alexandra duetted with Beyonce during her run on the reality TV talent show.
Since then, she's become a star of the stage too, performing in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chicago and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
"I'm really excited and I think that after a year and half people are now excited more than ever to be watching live shows.
"I've never done panto before so this is my debut and it's magical already.
"It's so, so cool and I get to perform my own songs. I'll be singing tunes people are familiar with."
On performing in Manchester, avid United supporter Alexandra said: "Manchester is one of my favourite cities and that's down to the people.
"They are so kind and generous."
Aladdin runs at the Opera House from Saturday December 11 to Sunday January 2.
To book tickets click here.
