Jade Ewen will never forget her Euro fright night

Former Sugababe is recording her debut album.

Jade Ewen hopes the time is coming where she finally proves herself as a solo artist. Despite being only 26, Jade has already been a stage and TV actor, represented the UK in Eurovision, modelled and been part of a successful pop group.

But what the former Sugababe really wants is to make her name with her own material. So when she’s not on stage as part of the on-going UK tour of the Rod Stewart musical, Tonight’s the Night, she’s recording her debut album.

“I had a few deals before Eurovision but I never got to release anything, which I took personally,” Jade said.

“Eurovision was a mad experience. The UK doesn’t really take it seriously, but I didn’t realise just how big it is in Europe. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything as terrifying again as singing in front of 120 million people!”

Jade thought the 2009 singing contest, where she came fifth, would give her the leverage to release a solo album, but instead she was asked to become the latest member of Sugababes.

“I didn’t think I could do it because I didn’t feel I had any ownership of the material, but people told me I would be silly not to take the opportunity. I’m glad I did, because it gave me so much experience.”

But being on the road as part of a musical like Tonight’s the Night is very different from touring with a group.

“With the pop stuff, there’s someone there to give you a wake-up call and arrange all of the transport and accommodation,” says Jade.

“That’s not the case now. Not that I’m complaining. But I’m a scatterbrain, so I forget to book things or end up booking them twice!”

Tonight’s the Night is at Edinburgh Playhouse from February 17-22, as well as Aberdeen in May and Glasgow in June.