Ashley Russell

Ashley Russell (born in Edinburgh) is a Scottish singer and actress who competed as one of the finalists in the BBC talent show-themed television series ' in 2008.

Background
Russell completed her Bachelor of Arts Undergraduate course in Acting and Performance at Queen Margaret University (QMUC) in Musselburgh. During her time there she played the role of Ida in the musical ' at the QMUC Gateway theatre and she specialised in Musical theatre. She then trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts drama school in the Wood Green area of North London where she won a Dame Judi Dench Scholarship.

I'd Do Anything
Russell was selected as one of the twelve finalists in the show and came sixth. She was in the bottom two twice. The first time in with Francesca Jackson. They performed the song "", from the musical of the same name. Despite Russell receiving the least number of votes, Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to save her and eliminate Jackson.

Russell was eliminated from the show in week seven on 11 May having reached the last six. Russell and Niamh Perry were in the sing-off, with Russell having received the lowest number of viewers votes. They sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from the musical Evita. Lloyd Webber chose to save Perry and eliminate Russell. Lloyd Webber said, "I've said Niamh is a little young for this, and I was very hard on you, Ashley," then, "In the end, I've got to save Niamh." Of Russell he said, "I do want to say that you are a fantastic talent, but you don't communicate it on stage," adding that he would love to work with her one day, and that her drama students "should be very proud."

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