A STAR of the new Les Miserables film is taking to the Bristol stage later this month to reprise her role as another musical heroine.

Samantha Barks, who plays Eponine in the Hollywood hit movie, is returning to a touring production of Oliver! to play the much-loved part of Nancy.

And the 22-year-old cannot quite believe her luck.

“It is so exciting for me to get to do both stage and screen,” she told the Gazette. “They are both exciting but they both have their challenges and I love them both in different ways.

“My ultimate goal would be to build a varied career doing them both.”

Isle of Man-born Samantha has become synonymous with both characters having come third in the 2008 BBC talent programme I’d Do Anything followed by a run as Nancy in the UK tour of Oliver! between 2011 and 2012 and after starring as Eponine in a 2010 to 2011 at the Queen’s Theatre in London.

And it was during a curtain call for Oliver! that her part in the film version of Les Miserables was announce by her long-term friend and advisor Cameron Macintosh.

“I loved playing Eponine in the West End a few years ago and it has been thrilling to be part of something that has been so well received,” she said of the film, which was only released in the UK on January 11 but has already gone on to be nominated for scores of awards.

“I can’t believe it has done so well and I feel very proud. “Hugh Jackman was an inspiration to me.”

Samantha, who has also released solo albums, said returning to the stage was like coming home.

“It is fantastic to come back to the stage in Oliver! and do what I love doing,” she said. “It is such a well-loved musical and so many people know all the songs, you only have to say you are in it and everyone starts singing the songs.

“It is such a great show, the sets are amazing and it is inspiring to be around so many great kids who are in it.”

She added: “The script and songs are all the same but like any role, when you take it on you have to think what you are going to do with it that is different.

“I want to stay true to the role in the way it was written by the wonderful Charles Dickens but I also hope I bring something new to it. I am probably one of the youngest people to play Nancy, but originally she was very young, so I am quite excited to get to explore that part of her character.”

Samantha will star alongside TV favourite Neil Morrissey, as Bill Sikes, in the show which features Lionel Bart’s irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah and As Long As He Needs Me.

Oliver! recently completed a two year run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and last year the show celebrated its 50th birthday, having premiered in the West End in 1960.

Oliver! comes to the Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday, January 22 until Sunday, February 24.