Bank clerk Bernadette earning high interest with starring role

For the teenager is back working as a clerk in her local bank after a brush with TV fame.

The 18-year-old can be seen singing and dancing in the Bank of Scotland's latest advert, alongside TV regular Howard Brown.

Now she is the centre of attention for customers at the Bathgate branch, signing autographs as she deals with their accounts.

"They usually get quite excited about it and they ask what it was like being in the advert," she said. "It's always nice to have people recognise you."

Bernadette, from the town's Longstone, sang the Bank of Scotland version of the Big Brovaz hit song Nu Flow and has been seen by millions of viewers nationwide.

Her stardom has so far been confined to the Hopetoun Street bank and she has yet to be hounded by ruthless paparazzi.

"No that's not happened yet," she said. "It's just in the bank that I get recognised."

The teenager began the audition process last November and had to go through three auditions for the part.

"It went really well, I really love music and dance so I didn't have too many problems. There was one in Edinburgh and then another two down in London."

There was a bit of Hollywood glamour during London rehearsals in March, as the five bank workers were put through their paces by LA based choreographer Wyvern Wilkins, who worked on the choreography for Hollywood film The Mask 2.

The glamour continued for Bernadette as the stars moved to Portugal for nine days for the actual shoot.

"It was really cool, we even had to stay an extra day as the weather was terrible. Our uniforms were Bank of Scotland ones, but a bit more styled and frizzier. Everyone was relaxed on set and we all just enjoyed it."

Bernadette also got the opportunity to work with Oscar nominated director Mehdi Norowzian. Mr Norowzian has overseen a number of commercials for companies such as Audi and Sony Ericsson, and received an Oscar nomination for his short film Killing Joe in 2002.

After appearing in the advert, Bernadette, her four co-stars and Howard Brown were taken on a showbiz tour of the country to attend the opening of new branches of her bank.

"There were five of us in the advert and we've been going along to branch openings," she said.

"It's really exciting as we had these autograph cards to sign and loads of people keep asking for our autographs.

Bernadette says her parents and four brothers are very proud, although they are publicity shy. She added: "My family are all really happy for me. I think we must have watched the DVD of the advert a thousand times by now."

It's not yet known whether Bernadette will star in any other adverts, but she says she is enjoying her work for the bank at the moment. I do enjoy working for the bank, but maybe I'll do some performing in the future," she said. A spokesman for the Bank of Scotland said: "Bernadette is an excellent ambassador for the bank and her appearance in the television adverts has certainly caused a stir in her branch.

"We have been using staff members in advertising campaigns for a number of years now and it has proved to be a very popular."