A singer from Portland said her dream came true when she became the star of a prime-time TV comedy show thanks to a clever stunt organised by her daughter. 

Stella Brading thought she was spending a girly weekend in London with her daughter Shakira, when she ended up on stage in front of 2,500 people as the unexpected guest of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

Stella, 50, was told the pair were ending their trip with a visit to a cat café before catching the train home. She quickly realised it was a ruse when she found herself being escorted onstage in the Theatre Royal, London’s famous West End stage on Drury Lane.

During each episode of the BBC1 show, an unsuspecting member of the public is given the shock of their life when they end up as the show’s ‘Unexpected Star’ after being nominated by a family member or friend. 

Stella sang a rendition of O Mio Babbino Caro by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini.

Stella said: “I love singing and have wanted to do it all my life, it was a dream come true.

“My daughter said she was taking me up to London for a break because I run my own business and I work every single day.

"I didn’t think anything of going to a cat café as I run a cattery and pet boarding business at home. Then they took me away to have a photo and I ended up on the Big Show. I had absolutely no idea.”

She added: “My daughter and I are so close that I can usually tell when she’s lying. She and my whole family covered everything up so well. I don’t know how they did it.”

“I’ve been watching the show since it first started so I know what happens but I still got caught up in the moment. I only had an hour to prepare and get my hair and make-up done. There was someone helping me keep calm.”

Stella has performed with community groups such as Portland Singers and the Weymouth Operatic Society, but said she never thought she’d sing in front of thousands of people. 

Stella added: “It has made me feel amazing, I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. 

“My mother, father, brother and sister and their partners were in the audience. Two of my best friends were also there and I sang at both their weddings, so it was very emotional.” 

“Around 22 friends and family are coming round to watch it on TV.”

The episode will air this Saturday on BBC1 at 8.10pm.