DANCING QUEEN TO MAMMA MIA!

Diana Harper, 49, decided the time was right to swap sequins and bell sleeves for motherhood

- TRACIE COUPER, ELLIE FAWCETT.

Belting out Dancing Queen to packed gig in my white kneehigh boots and kimono, I tried to concentrate on the roaring crowd. Don't look at her, I told myself.

But as we hit the chorus again, I couldn't resist. 'Having the time of your life,' I sang, sneaking a glance at Agnetha, dancing with her boyfriend by the stage. Meeting my gaze, she patted a hand against her heart and gave me a thumbs up. It was such a thrill. I'd won the approval of the real Agnetha Fältskog.

It was 2011, and my ABBA tribute band Björn Again was doing a gig in Stockholm, Sweden. When I'd found out Agnetha was coming, I'd been nervous. I'd been her in the four-piece since 1998, when my mum Susan had spotted an advert in a magazine.

*Perfect for you, Mum had beamed.

At 25, with long, blonde hair, a slim figure and a good singing voice, I did seem to fit the part well. When I auditioned, the managers agreed. And while I'd been in bands before, this was another level.

As one of the biggest tribute bands ever, we toured the world, staying in amazing places and throwing incredible after-show parties. It could be exhausting, but it was always fun, and I imagined it was similar to the glamorous lives of the group back in the 1970s.

When the film Mamma Mia! came out in 2008, ABBA gained even more fans and we were busier than ever.

One of our most memorable gigs was at Buckingham Palace in 2010. I can picture the late Queen now, wearing the most beautiful silver dress.