A SCHOOLGIRL trouper stole the show as she stepped into the spotlight to save a Christmas cracker production.

Talented Samantha Todd was asked to star in festive classic White Christmas at short notice after one of the actors was struck down with suspected appendicitis.

She handled the last-minute drama with ease to star in front of hundreds of people.

Samantha, who attends Kilmacolm Primary, said: “The girl was taken to hospital on Sunday and my mum got the call on Monday and the show started on the following Tuesday.

“My mum is in ‘am-dram’ and the director of the show has worked with my mum and asked if I would like to do it.”

Samantha starred at Motherwell Civic Theatre for a five-night run which also included a matinee on the Saturday.

The 11-year-old, a member of Acting for Fun Kilmacolm, only had five days to prepare for her role while her colleagues at Our Ladies Musical Society had been rehearsing since April.

She said: “If I’d had the rehearsal time I think I would have been nervous but it was fresh in my mind.”

Samantha played star-struck youngster Susan Waverly in the show, playing the part of the granddaughter of a retired general who is running a failing hotel in Vermont.

The festive favourite is famed by Bing Crosby’s performance of White Christmas.

Samantha said: “Susan tries to become a star and has a big song and dance routine at the end.”

The primary seven pupil lives with her mum Maureen, a member of Glasgow drama group The Lyric Club, dad Andrew and her little brother Christopher, who’s eight, in the village.

The youngster received rave reviews for her stop-gap star turn and was overwhelmed by the response.

She said: “It felt really cool. My mum was crying when she was reading it out to me, she was really emotional. It was pretty awesome.”

The petite performer is no stranger to the limelight and starred in Annie at the King’s in Glasgow last year.

She is also set to perform in the Wizard of Oz at Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow’s west end.

Samantha’s school teacher Jaclyn Pavia was swift to praise her achievements.

She said: “She is a very talented performer and singer and when she goes up on that stage she shines and sparkles.

“I’m sure will will be looking for her autograph in years to come.

“She is so enthusiastic about everything.”