FORMER Mrs Sunderland contestant Emma Williams is set to star in a tale of sex, scandal and politics - as controversial sixties dancer Christine Keeler.

Emma, who quit the role as Maria in The Sound Of Music in September, will play the topless dancer whose affair with then Conservative Secretary of State for War, John Profumo, led to his resignation in 1963 after he lied about it in Parliament.

It's a far cry from Emma's days as a winning contestant in Huddersfield's Mrs Sunderland Music Festival.

The musical A Model Girl will feature music from the swinging Sixties, as well as nudity and even new theories about the conspiracies and cover-ups relating to the scandal which rocked the government of the day.

"It's certainly a long way from being Truly Scrumptious," said Emma, who shot to fame when she was chosen for the title role in the West End musical smash, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

"I read the script and thought, please let me get this part. It is so well written. It is compelling. I also feel that it is a very truthful, unbiased account of Christine Keeler's life and it doesn't make any judgements."

The musical, which will open at Greenwich Theatre, London, in February, is being billed as "an emotional rollercoaster of love, passion, corruption, hysteria, death, sex and salvation."

It has been written by Richard Alexander, who has said that West End producers have already shown interest and a transfer could be on the cards. The 1960s musical score, which was specially-commissioned, has been written by Marek Rymaszewski.

Emma, whose parents Gordon and Joan Williams live in Halifax, has starred in a number of TV dramas and theatre productions as well as been chosen for Andrew Lloyd Webber's new project.

Eventually, it was decided that newcomer, Connie Fisher, chosen through the reality TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, would fill the role full time.

Emma said she was excited but nervous about her new role.

"I'm nervous because this is the first time I have played someone real before.

"I am nervous about the nude scenes but they are pivotal to the story," she said.

She added that she was hoping for a meeting with Keeler, who is now 64.

John Profumo - known as Jack - died earlier this year, aged 91.

"I've been writing the show for five years and I suppose the truth is that I feel more comfortable now that he has passed away," said Mr Alexander.