Baggies link for Beverley as talent runs in the family; X Factor and stage Fame star gets her kicks watching nephew.

Byline: Roz Laws

AS she nervously watched the performance unfold in front of her, Beverley Trotman realised what her family had gone through when they came to support her on The X Factor.

She too was seeing a relative show off his skills in front of fans, but her nephew Leon Barnett isn't a singer. He is West Bromwich Albion's pounds 3 million centre-half.

Beverley, who reached the X Factor finals in 2007 and is now starring in the musical Fame, says: "I've been to a game at The Hawthorns and my heart was often in my mouth.

"It's different when it's your family playing. I kept thinking 'if he touches the ball, let it be excellent'.

"It made me realise what my family went through, watching me on X Factor.

My husband says it was his worst time. The poor thing, he hyperventilated on many occasions! "I am really getting into football now, not just because of Leon, but because my 11-year-old son Luke also plays. He's been signed to Luton Town for the last three years.

"I understand the offside rule and can explain it.

"Luke looks up to Leon as a role model and would love to be a footballer. He's started really young though, so we don't want him to neglect his schoolwork.

If it was up to him, he'd play 24/7.

"Leon is off with a knee injury at the moment. It's very frustrating, he's desperate to play again.

"I'm very close to him and even named him. We were all in the hospital talking about names and I suggested Leon. I wasn't expected to be taken seriously, as I was only young, but my sister agreed." Beverley will be staying with 23-year-old Leon while she performs in Fame at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

She plays English teacher Miss Sherman. It's not a huge acting stretch for Beverley, who was a primary school teacher before she found TV fame.

Beverley, 39, says: "She deals with young adults, though, whereas my pupils were much younger.

"And half way through the performance, I slap one of the boys, which I'd never do in real life. I'd be sacked!

"Miss Sherman is very passionate but is a bit misguided.

She wants the kids to learn to read and write, but it's too late for them, they just want to perform.

"I do sometimes feel a bit like the teacher off-stage, too, as I'm so much older than most of the cast. They go out drinking after the show and I'm not into that." Unlike the rest of the cast, Beverley can remember the original TV series.

"I was eight or nine. My sister was a huge fan and really loved Leroy and his cornrows. It's mad how the 1980s and legwarmers are back now.

"When I took the role I was worried about whether I'd have to dance and whether I'd get bored on a long tour. But I haven't. It's such a great, high energy show.

"I do an incy wincy bit of dancing right at the end, but it's freestyle so I don't have to learn any steps." Beverley is married to Jonathan and they have two children, Luke and 13-yearold Tianna. And just like on X Factor, they've been there to support mum on the Fame tour..Fame The Musical runs at the Birmingham Hippodrome from May 4 - 9. Book tickets on 0844 338 5000 or at www.birminghamhippodrome.com. TicketInfo

CAPTION(S):

X Factor star Beverley Trotman with the rest of the cast from Fame which is coming to Birmingham.