It has been a good year since we last saw Lydia Louisa on our screens. The fourth evictee of Big Brother 13, the dancer left the house to a pit of heckles and boos.
The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey now lives in Cheshire, and has lived the dancers dream, performing for the likes of Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Kanye West and Sonique at the Brit Awards and on Top of the Pops, MTV, GMTV and even Loose Women.
But a lot has changed since then. First of all, her surname. In June Lydia got married to long-term partner Andy Scott-Lee, former Pop Idol star and member of boy band 3LS.
Lydia caused a stir in the Big Brother house by suggesting she would marry her partner of five and a half years in the house, in front of the millions watching at home. However, she says that was a just a joke in reference to the Las Vegas theme that year, and that the plan was always to tie the knot State side.
She said: “I was most definitely not going to marry Andy in the BB house! Saying that we were so bored I may have been tempted to do it for entertainment purposes. I actually was making reference to our surroundings as our house was Las Vegas themed so I joked to Adam (Kelly) that I could just get married there. I was always going to marry Andy in Vegas, nowhere else, it was our dream!”
The wedding was covered by OK! Magazine at a glitzy event in Las Vegas, proving that a wedding in the gambling capital can be classy instead of tacky.
“Andy and I have always had a good relationship with OK! Magazine, they have always been very supportive of our relationship so it was only natural to have our wedding covered by people that we trust and it gave viewers of Big Brother and whoever else supports us a chance to see and hear all about our wedding. Hopefully it will inspire more people to do something crazy like a Vegas wedding, we proved it can be very classy and not tacky!”
Asked how married life is treating her, the new Mrs Scott-Lee said: “Life is very good thanks! We are both so busy with work, as soon as we got back from Vegas it was back in at the deep end but we don’t mind.”
It has been a busy year for the professional dancer, who has worked with fashion designers, choreographed events and set up her own business.
“I have done lots of personal appearances and interviews including appearing on Big Brothers Bit On The Side this year which I loved,” she continued.
“I have been working closely with some top jewellery and clothing designers. Smeidi London and I worked together on some bespoke jewellery pieces for my wedding which was so much fun. After Big Brother finished I was back to choreographing fashions shows which is what I love doing the most!
“People were saying to me “Back to the day job?!” and I would laugh and say yes as I never planned to give it up! I also set up my own business choreographing people’s first dances at weddings.”
Aladdin
The newlyweds will be working together again this December as they début in a showing of Aladdin in Hertfordshire, performing alongside professional magician and illusionist Michael Otton.
“We will be appearing at Broxbourne Civic Hall performing in Aladdin this Christmas! It’s very exciting to be back on stage together. I am very lucky to be appearing in a professional pantomime, not just playing a part but choreographing the whole show too! I will be singing a couple of songs!” Lydia continued.
“We have worked together on two pantomimes and also a UK theatre tour so we are used to working together. It’s nice to be able to share the stage as we both love performing.”
Laser Eye Surgery
The 27-year-old has also undergone surgery this summer, deciding a lifelong battle with contact and lenses had to come to an end as she had laser eye surgery at Manchester based clinic Freedom Vision. And rather than being a little nervous about the treatment, the ballsy performer almost dozed off in theatre.
“I was referred by a friend who recommended Freedom Vision. I have to say I am astounded at the results and so happy that I got it done. I can see even better than with my contact lenses.
“The surgery took 10 minutes if that. I couldn’t believe how fast it was. My surgeon had a very soothing speaking voice so I was practically asleep by the end of it! It really is not scary at all.”
“I love getting up in the morning and having one less thing to contend with. Whenever I was in a rush my contact lenses would never go in properly and make me even later.
“What’s best though is that I can see when I go swimming! I like to go swimming at the gym three times a week and I set myself a number of lengths to do, normally around 50. I find it relaxing and it’s an enjoyable way to keep fit!”
With 20/20 vision, a new husband a new lease of life, Lydia has also set up her own wedding dance company. Called ‘Your Wedding Dances’, Lydia began the project to help non-dancers choreograph a Dirty Dancing-esque flash mob.
She said: “I started my wedding dance company to cater for non-dancers who would love a bespoke first dance. It would make a great wedding present!
Travelling between Surrey and Chester to see family and friends, Lydia still spends most of her time up North in Manchester, visiting her favourite casino and seeing husband Andy sing.
“Andy always has gigs in Manchester at the gay clubs/casinos so we spend a lot of time there. He performs quite a bit at the Ocean Treasure in Middleton which our friends own – Andy sings and I eat Chinese. It’s a winning combination!”
You can follow Lydia on twitter @LydiaScottLee.