Debbie, from Wetwang, was picked from 11,000 hopefuls for a role in the next TV advert for the women-only car insurance company, famous for its retro pink costumes, pink Sheila-mobile and catchy theme tune.

She caught the eye during a gruelling audition process and is now looking forward to heading back to London to film the ad later this month - ready for it to hit screens nationwide in May.

"I was absolutely tickled pink to get through," said Debbie, 42. "Anything that comes along I have a go at. I love grabbing life by the horns.

"I do all sorts of things, go-karting, show jumping, skiing. I just love doing new things. "So when this came up, I thought 'why not?'

"And I was absolutely thrilled to get a place in the final, never mind win."

Health care worker Debbie was enjoying a rare day off work last month when she spotted a Sheilas' Wheel advert on the telly, inviting people to apply to become a Sheila Star.

The mother-of-two immediately sent off a picture of herself in a pink outfit and a catchy rhyme outlining why she would be perfect for the role.

Her first application attracted the attention of the selection panel and she was asked to send further photos.

She was shopping with a client when she received the telephone call to say she was in the final. "I whooped and whooped all around the shop. I was so pleased, I couldn't believe it," she said.

At the end of last month, Debbie joined 49 other finalists for an all-expenses paid trip to London.

During a day of screen-tests, she overcame her nerves to dance in front of a raft of cameramen and photographers.

"It was like X Factor - there were people everywhere," she said.
"There were cameras and films going all day long. It was really nerve-wracking."

Debbie said the only hint she had of how the audition had gone was when a member of the crew revealed she had looked good on camera.
But she said it was still a complete shock when she received the call to say that she had landed the part.

Debbie will head down to the capital again on April 16 for the filming.