The 24-year-old shot into the limelight after she and her Bad Lashes bandmates reached the finals of TV talent show X Factor.

Despite being the first to be voted out, the girls have since had a packed diary of high profile appearances.

And the band is also hoping 2009 will bring chart success with their first single being released next year.

Sophie, who this time last year was singing in bars, said: "We feel like we have gone so far in the space of a year."

The girls' X Factor whirlwind began with the auditions for Emily McNamee, 19, from Pittington, near Durham, and Sam Bennett, 21, and Stacey Lacey Lincoln, 20, from Durham.

Recent events for the band include performing at a charity event hosted by Geordie actress Denise Welch, as well as providing a support act to singer Beverley Knight.

They recently sang alongside fellow finalists Austin Drage and Laura White at a gig in Edinburgh.

Sophie said she has barely seen mum Trish Wilson, 50, and dad Steve Wilson, 50, who live in the West Park area of Hartlepool.
Sophie, who has a brother, Tom Wilson, 18, and sister Emma Holmes, 26, said: "We have been sleeping in the car with our two managers driving us.

"I used to see my family every day and now I'm not seeing them at all. When I do get home I just sleep.

"My family are supportive. I have got the best family in the world."

Bad Lashes were recently back in the spotlight in front of millions when they were invited to perform Ain't No Mountain High Enough at the final X Factor show with the other 12 finalists.

Sophie said the opportunity led to the unforgettable experience of a back stage meeting with Beyonce Knowles who was also performing on the show.

She said: "We said hello and that was it. She had a lot of security. We were really overwhelmed. She is my idol. I adore her."

But Christmas provided a precious couple of days off for Sophie, who lives with her boyfriend, David Garside, 23, in Seaton Carew.

The girls then performed with fellow X Factor finalist Diana Vickers, who made it down to the final four, at the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Newcastle on Saturday.