Age: 22
From: Chester
Instagram: @esmebowdler
Esme admitted she thought she’d never be considered for the part of Sophie, despite always wanting to play the role. She explained: “Sophie is a character that goes through so much in the show and her character goes on such a journey. She is such a fun bubbly character, yet she has so many struggles that as an actor, would be so interesting to get to explore. “In my whole time training I was never typecast as the romantic lead so I never believed I could play any parts like Sophie, but I would love to prove that I can.” Esme’s musical theatre journey began when she was 12 years old after watching the Les Miserables film for the first time, which just so happened to be judge Samantha Barks’s film debut. Ahead of her appearance on the show, Esme said: “I remember watching a pantomime and I couldnt believe people get paid to sing and dance and have the most fun on stage. I left school at 16 to go train in musical theatre at a college in Liverpool, and this is where I really found my love for the industry.”
