It was a talent show that had its viewers hooked in 2008 as it searched to cast the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!
I’d Do Anything was presented by Graham Norton, with Andrew Lloyd Webber judging proceedings from his golden throne.
It was built on the success of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do.
With a star-studded panel of judges and new acting challenges every week, the talent show series launched the careers of its participants.
Despite its short run, huge names have emerged from it, including the winner of the series, Jodie Prenger, and 2026 Oscar winner Jessie Buckley.
Here, the Daily Mail takes a look at the varied fates of the cast.
I’d Do Anything was a talent show that had its viewers hooked in 2008 as it searched to cast the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver! (pictured: Jessie Buckley and Jodie Prenger)
Despite its short run, huge names have emerged from it, including the winner of the series, Jodie Prenger, and 2026 Oscar winner Jessie Buckley (pictured at the Oscars 2026)
Jessie Buckley
Jessie was the only runner-up of the series but has gone on to become a Hollywood star.
In 2018, she made her breakthrough in the musical film Wild Rose, in which she received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
She then earned nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Lost Daughter (2021).
In 2021, she also received a Laurence Olivier Award for her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on the West End.
Other notable films and shows she starred in include War & Peace, Chernobyl, Women Talking and Fargo.
At the 2026 Oscars, Jessie made history as she became the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the ceremony.
The County Kerry-born actress lead a record-breaking night for female winners as she took home Best Actress for her work in Hamnet at the event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
In tribute to her home country, Buckley ended her speech in Gaelic by saying ‘Go raibh maith agaibh, slán’, which translates in English to ‘Thank you very much, goodbye’.
Earlier during the awards season, she received her flowers at the Actor Awards (formerly known as SAG), the BAFTAs, the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globes for her performance in the raw and emotional drama piece.
Jodie Prenger
Jodie came out victorious on the show, going on to star in Oliver! on the West End
After the show, she has managed to make a big name for herself
Jodie came out victorious on the show, going on to star in Oliver! on the West End.
Following this, she appeared in Spamalot, Tell Me On A Sunday and Fat Friends.
Her other theatre credits include Calamity Jane, Annie and One Man, Two Guvnors.
In 2022, she began playing Glenda Shuttleworth in ITV’s Coronation Street, and she has also appeared in Waterloo Road and as a guest panellist on Loose Women.
The actress also starred as Helen in the National Theatre Production of A Taste of Honey, a performance inspired by watching early episodes of Coronation Street.
When she joined the cobbles four years ago, Jodie said it fulfilled her ‘lifelong dream’ of bagging a starring role in the soap.
She said her character will fit right into Corrie’s tradition of ‘Northern powerhouse women’.
Jodie added: ‘Oh, she’s a whirlwind. She’s bold, she’s funny and as for her choice in clothes, they’ll be on the Paris catwalks next year. I see a lot of my nan in Glenda. My nan could play the part better than me, to be honest.’
Samantha Barks
Samantha Barks finished in third place on I’d Do Anything, but went on to make a big name for herself
In October 2025, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of the world premiere of the musical The Greatest Showman as Charity Barnum
Samantha Barks finished in third place on I’d Do Anything, but went on to make a big name for herself.
She took on Broadway, leading the world premiere of Pretty Woman and made her film debut in 2012, starring as Éponine in the Tom Hooper-directed Les Misérables.
The star played opposite Jonathan Bailey in the Disney Channel musical-comedy Groove High and was also a judge on ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.
From 2021 to 2024, she starred as Elsa in the West End production of Frozen.
In October 2025, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of the world premiere of the musical The Greatest Showman as Charity Barnum.
Tara Bethan
Tara Bethan was voted out of the show after she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Most recently, she was a judge on the talent search show Junior Eurovision: Chwilio am Seren, which aimed to find the next young Eurovision representative for Wales
Tara Bethan was voted out of the show after she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
But that didn’t stop her as she went on to do a UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
She also appeared in Bugsy Malone at the Queen’s Theatre in London.
From 2011 to 2016, she landed a role in the Welsh language soap opera Pobol Y Cwm.
Most recently, she was a judge on the talent search show Junior Eurovision: Chwilio am Seren, which aimed to find the next young Eurovision representative for Wales.
Amy Booth-Steel
Despite being the first ‘Nancy’ to leave the competition, Amy Booth-Steel has gone on to become a successful stage actress
She played Queenie Hennessy in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and is currently starring as Lady Sloane in Paddington The Musical
Despite being the first ‘Nancy’ to leave the competition, Amy Booth-Steel has gone on to become a successful stage actress.
The following year, she landed a role in Sister Act, and played the role of Piper in The Light Princess.
She wrote and starred in a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe called #HonestAmy in 2019.
Her solo show chronicled her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
More recently, Amy played Queenie Hennessy in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and is currently starring as Lady Sloane in Paddington The Musical.
Francesca Jackson
Francesca Jackson was the fourth person to be eliminated on the BBC show
In 2021, she appeared in the West End production of Tina The Musical as Rhonda Graam
Francesca Jackson was the fourth person to be eliminated on the BBC show.
Since I’d Do Anything, she has been cast alongside Chesney Hawkes and Siobhan Dillon as Lucy in the musical Can’t Smile Without You.
In 2009, she toured with Dreamboats and Petticoats playing the role of Sue.
The following year, she completed a run of A Little Night Music in Paris alongside Lambert Wilson, Leslie Caron and Greta Sacchi.
In 2021, she appeared in the West End production of Tina The Musical as Rhonda Graam.
Sarah Lark
Sarah Lark was a finalist on the show and was the sixth to be eliminated
From June 2012 to July 2015, she appeared in the musical Les Misérables in London
Sarah Lark was a finalist on the show and was the 6th to be eliminated.
After that, she went on to participate in the I’d Do Anything tours with Ashley Russell, Keisha Amponsa-Banson and Niamh Perry.
From June 2012 to July 2015, she appeared in the musical Les Misérables in London.
Ashley J Russell
Ashley J Russell has appeared in fan-favourite musicals across the world since appearing on the BBC show
In 2025, she featured in the world premiere of Wild Rose
Ashley J Russell has appeared in fan-favourite musicals across the world since appearing on the BBC show.
She was also part of the first workshops for the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies.
In 2025, she featured in the world premiere of Wild Rose.
Rachel Tucker
Rachel Tucker made it to the finals week, where she was the ninth to be eliminated
Most recently, she played the role of Myrtle Wilson in the West End production of The Great Gatsby in 2025
Rachel Tucker made it to the finals week, where she was the ninth to be eliminated.
After the show, she has played some iconic roles on stage, including Elphaba in Wicked.
She’s also appeared in shows like Songs For a New World, We Will Rock You and John and Jen.
Most recently, she played the role of Myrtle Wilson in the West End production of The Great Gatsby in 2025.
