A mum of two recalls being treated like a celebrity for a day when she appeared on a music reality show as Shania Twain.  

Nicole Gaskell, 38, who has lived in Maple Cross for six years after living in Watford for five, took to the stage of ITV’s Starstruck, which aired on Saturday, February 25.

The show features aspiring singers transform into superstars. Four teams of three compete to win the vote of the judging panel and the audience to go through to the next round.

Watford Observer: Nicole was seven months pregnant while filming and says she has fond memories of the experience Nicole was seven months pregnant while filming and says she has fond memories of the experience (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

Although Nicole and her fellow Shania Twains who sang Man! I feel like a Woman! didn’t win their episode, the experience is something she will never forget.

She said: “For the three days of filming I felt like a celebrity. I got picked up by a taxi.

“When I was there, we had all these slow-motion shots taken and our hair and make-up was constantly being re-done.”

To top off the experience, she got to meet Shania Twain who was one of the judges.

Nicole said: “After we performed, she ran up on stage and gave us a hug. She was lovely and told us we did a great job.”

Watford Observer: The trio got to meet Shania Twain (left)The trio got to meet Shania Twain (left) (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

The experience was also special for Nicole as she was seven months pregnant with her second child at the time of filming in September.

Nicole said: “I did get quite tired during the pregnancy, and I think I did a good job considering I was heavily pregnant and found it harder to breathe and move, but the team on the show were so supportive of me.

“It is strange seeing myself on TV, especially while pregnant, but I like having this to keep as a memory.”

Watford Observer: Nicole (left) said she felt like a celebrity while filming. Nicole (left) said she felt like a celebrity while filming. (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

Nicole, who hails from Canada and works as an executive assistant at a pharmaceutical company, had previously worked on cruise ships singing.

And for her, this was another chance to showcase her vocal cords.

With an audition process spanning over eight months, Nicole was not allowed to tell anyone about her TV appearance.

She said: “But after the episode aired my social media exploded and I had really lovely comments from friends and family.”