She played a puppet who wanted to be a boy -- and now she's a girl who became a pop star.

There's no stopping the former Cullingworth pantomime girl currently occupying the top ten of the pop charts again.

Kimberley Walsh and her fellow Girls Aloud have already scored a number one with their first single Sound of the Underground.

Their second single No Good Advice went in at number two -- and four days ago the quintet's debut album hit the shelves.

Stardom is a far cry from the day Kimberley followed the family tradition of appearing at Cullingworth Village Hall with amateur dramatic group CADS.

Kimberley's aunt Helen Richmond and her children have been members of the group for several years.

And Kimberley's younger sister Amy has appeared in pantos several times including a leading role earlier this year.

Her other sister Sally has had a major role in TV soap Emmerdale and recently starred in a drama at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Kimberley herself began performing when she was four and spent several years with Bradford performing school Stage 84.

She won the first professional role singing a solo in the hit musical Les Miserables in Manchester.

Kimberley said: "That was a big milestone for me. That's when I realised I could do something with my voice.

Several TV appearances followed, as well as a national tour of the musical Evita, then came the TV show that changed her career path.

Kimberley progressed through the preliminary heats of Popstars The Rivals and eventually won a place in the final line-up of the show's girl band.

Girls Aloud beat its male rival, the terrible one true voice, to the number one slot last Christmas, and recording began on the album of the same name.

Kimberley knew the girls' debut would be successful, but said: "Everyone expected the boys to get number one -- it was great that we beat them.

"The album is the big test. Critics have been giving it really good reviews -- we're quite excited."

Girls Aloud will continue to promote No Good Advice and the album around the UK, then next month will aim to build on their initial success in Europe.

Kimberley said: "Our next single will be out at the end of July, and there could be a tour at the end of the year -- depending how the album does."

There may also be a homecoming appearance this summer in Bingley at Bradford council's annual Party in the Park.