Claire Sweeney talks to Vicky Edwards about touring, motherhood and how being a butcher’s daughter inspired her to perform…

If there were prizes for versatility Claire Sweeney would have an awesome silverware collection. Singer, dancer, actress, model, clothes designer, TV presenter and forces sweetheart, our Claire’s professional dexterity is in a class of its own. 

Currently starring as Baroness Bomburst in the phenomenally successful tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a brand new version of the glorious Sherman Brothers musical that is winning rave reviews and standing ovations wherever it goes, Claire, however, wears her talents lightly. And, down to earth and sunny tempered, there’s certainly no need to stand on ceremony for her.

Arriving in a flurry of apologies for being slightly late meeting me, she freely and cheerfully admitted that the lure of the hotel breakfast was to blame for the slight delay.

“Although I’m back on Weight Watchers, because losing weight when you’ve had a baby is really tough,” she told me, with a rueful grin.

Yes, but surely working your socks off on tour, singing and dancing your heart out every night, with your baby son coming along for the ride, is tougher than counting calories?

She looks doubtful. Besides, touring with her son, Jaxon, is something she loves being able to do.

“I have an assistant who is a friend and she comes with me to help with Jaxon when I’m working. I couldn’t do it otherwise and it’s lovely having him with me,” she said, eyes shining at the mention of her little lad, who was born in 2014.

Successfully managing to juggle motherhood with her career, prior to Chitty Claire had been on tour for nine months with Hairspray playing Velma Von Tussle, when she was offered the role in Chitty.

“Velma is absolutely vile, so playing the Baroness, another baddie, is the same kind of character, although I’m finding different elements to her as we go along.

“It’s funny, because since Jaxson was born I’ve been obsessed with babies and of course the Baroness hates kids!”

Declaring that she’s “rather excited” to be joining such an all-star cast, Claire confessed that she was slower than most to discover the charms of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“I came to it late and only saw the film recently,” she confessed, “but when I did, I completely got it. It is absolutely magical and beautiful and I think it’s that magical quality that people of all ages fall in love with.

“For me it’s one of those films that are in our DNA, like The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music.  It’s an iconic story and I’m so excited to be part of it. I’m also so happy that Jaxon is two when I’m doing it. He’ll be able to understand it and appreciate me being a part of it. That makes it all the more magical for me.”

Magic wasn’t especially evident in her father’s butcher’s shop in Liverpool, but Claire credits her late and much loved Dad’s business for setting her on the pathway to performing.

“As a teenager I started singing in clubs in Liverpool, but at weekends I worked in Dad’s butcher’s shop from eight in morning until six at night, serving, washing and cleaning. Then I’d sing in a club for half-an-hour and get paid more than I did for slogging my guts out in the shop all day. That I could get money for doing my favourite thing was wonderful and I remember thinking yes, this is what I want to do. It was a no-brainer for me.”

So, swapping sawdust for stardust, Claire attended stage school. Upon graduating she was immediately snapped up, going from summer season to pantomime and back again. A stint on the cruise ships followed, with her big break in TV soap Brookside, playing the infamous Lindsay Corkhill, not far behind.

Since Brookside Claire has notched up a huge range of television roles; from fiery Katrina in the award winning drama Clocking Off, to Roz in Merseybeat and Amanda in comedy drama Candy Cabs. But still a singer at heart, she has also played leading roles in West End musicals such as Chicago and Guys and Dolls, as well as recording a solo album.

You’d certainly be hard pushed to accuse Claire of not pulling her weight – she never seems to stop working. Pretty good going for a girl who started out slicing bacon for a living.

“I love it,” she said, simply. “I couldn’t do anything else.”

Having toured so extensively, for Claire most of the dates on the Chitty schedule are return visits, stirring memories of previous visits. Although for Birmingham the happy memories are overshadowed by sadness, as this is where she was working when her father died on Christmas day last year.

“But I also know Birmingham really well because I used to live there,” said Claire, who is looking forward to creating some happy times to look back on when she visits with Chitty.

Dismissing my query about whether or not she subscribes to any backstage superstitions with a gurgle of laughter, the grounded Liverpool lass shakes her head.

“No, I don’t do any of that! I just turn up, get properly warmed up and make sure that I know all my lines and moves. Then I just get on with it.” 

And so she does. Brilliantly, as it happens.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from 7-18 September.