BRITISH Airways hostess will be a little closer to heaven this Christmas.
Diane Andrews, of Utkinton, Tarporley, beat off hundreds of gospel singers to appear on BBC1's religious version of Pop Idol, the Sunday morning The Heaven and Earth Show.
The idea was to turn a group of amateur singers into a fully fledged gospel choir.
After listening to Diane's audition tape experts asked her to travel to Watford where she joined 23 other singers.
'I just thought I'd give it a try' she said: 'I filled in the application form and sent a tape recording. I sang Elaine Page's For You, then I got a phone call from the BBC and they wanted to interview me and give me a trial. I couldn't believe it - I was so delighted to be chosen.
'Taking part and being filmed was very intense and exciting.
'There were people from all walks of life. Everyone really got into the spirit of the event and enjoyed it.
'We sang a number of gospel classics including Happy Day.
'We did all the rehearsals on Saturday and all the filming was done on Sunday. I enjoyed the whole experience although I was absolutely shattered at the end of it.' 'I'm not a particularly religious person but I just love singing - I'm a big fan of gospel,' she said.
The 38-year-old insists she has no plans to give up the day job, and she will be 33,000ft above the Atlantic heading for Boston when the show goes out.
'I am going to video it and watch it when I come back from America.' Diane added. Gospel Heaven will be on BBC1 at 11.30am on Sunday, December 28
