IT MIGHT be the end of the rainbow for Stephanie Fearon in her bid to become the next Dorothy in a new production of The Wizard of Oz but a bright future still beckons for the Kingsbury actress.

Stephanie, 21, known as Steph, was booted off BBC'S Over the Rainbow - Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest venture to discover a new West End talent - on Sunday. But Steph, who grew up in Kingsbury and was a pupil at St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School before going to St Gregory's in Kenton, is determined to hit the big time.

The talented singer and actress, who went to the Sharon Harris Drama School, has already been in a number of programmes including Casualty, As If and ITV's My Parents are Aliens.

Talking to the Observer she said performing each week at Wembley's Fountain Studios was like coming home, as it was only a stone's throw away from where she was brought up.

She said: "As far back as I can remember I was always performing. For the show they asked for footage - looking back I always wanted to be at the front, making up dances and singing."

Music obviously runs in the Fearon family, with her father Phil the lead singer of 1980s band Galaxy and mum Dee Galdes-Fearon sang on the 1994 Baby D hit Let Me Be Your Fantasy.

Steph said: "I am from a musical family. My parents were in the music industry. It must be in my blood. They have been such a great support. My friends and family wanted to be at every show. I think they were just so happy I got this far."

But it wasn't all glitz and glamour, said the performer, who was up at the crack of dawn most days practising.

She said: "It was mental. It was so intense. The day after the show we would be up doing interviews. We had so many songs to learn. It was so exciting and I wouldn't change anything about it. I can't wait to go back to watch the final."

The show has three judges - Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Church and John Partridge, who is probably best known as Christian in EastEnders.

However, it was Lloyd Webber who had the final say on who would make the final three after the public had cast their vote.

Steph said: "I really loved them all but especially John Partridge. He is just so enthusiastic, passionate and really entertaining. My favourite performance was probably singing Bjork's It's Oh So Quiet. It was my comeback performance."

Steph moved to central London three years ago to embark on her career. She attended the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and recently finished a three-year course. She said: "I really want to do everything. Singing, dancing, theatre, film, TV. Who knows where the future lies."

The show's finale takes place on Saturday and Steph says she will be backing Welsh singer Sophie Evans to win. She said: "I'd love to see Sophie as Dorothy. She is amazing and was my best bud in the competition."

* Over the Rainbow concludes on Saturday on BBC One at 7pm and 8.55pm.