A SINGER who starred on the West End stage when she was just 11 years old has started a new journey as a professional popstar.

Peonie Gage, from Colchester, landed her first acting role when she was nine.

The former Heathlands Primary School pupil went on to perform in musicals across the country.

Her first gig was as Cinderella at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She then starred in The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, aged 11.

In her teens she performed in popular shows like Grease, Pirates of the Caribbean and Legally Blonde.

After graduating from the East London Arts and Music college Peonie, 20, realised she wanted to propel herself towards global chart success.

She has put a band together and has been on the road recording songs, launching her debut track entitled Just Sayin’, which features Syon sharing the vocals.

Peonie, who lives at home with her parents and younger brother, said: “As a child I went to a drama school in Tiptree, then I got an agent and got different jobs.

“I started to get better jobs, like at the West End.

“I think that was the first time I felt like this was what I wanted to do.

“There was a rush and a buzz that comes with being on stage and that’s where my passion came from.”

The Sound of Music was her favourite performance during her acting career.

She said: “It was such a good experience.

“At such a young age I went to visit so many places around the UK and meet so many people.”

At college, Peonie learnt more about songwriting, production and performance.

It was here she decided she wanted to start a new career in the music industry.

She said: “I spent a whole year just writing as many songs as I could.

“I went on a writing retreat in Thailand, then came back to the studio and recorded everything I had done.

“This year is just about getting the ball rolling.”

Just Sayin’ is available on all platforms including YouTube and iTunes, and it is the first time the public has heard the full track.

Peonie hopes to perform in shows across Colchester and London soon, where she will showcase the song.

She said: “We wrote Just Sayin’ in Thailand.

“We were brainstorming ideas about how sometimes you want to say something to someone but you are scared of how they might react.

“It has a cool, chill R&B vibe and we wanted to throw it back to the 90s.”

Stardom runs in the family as her younger brother Marty, 16, plays football for West Ham, as part of an academy.

Her mum, Lea, and dad, Steve, are proud parents and her friends have also backed her all the way.

She said: “My friends are really supportive.

“I have got a great family around me and my friends always share my stuff and they like to watch me progress, which is nice.”