In showbiz terms, Steps sparkler Faye Tozer has achieved minor legend status. Having lasted longer than Rimmel’s waterproof eyeliner the singer/dancer has somehow managed to negotiate the pitfalls and pratfalls that invariably follow massive success.

Tozer and the other four effervescents who made up the group - originally billed as a line dancing group before being sold by Pete Waterman as ‘Abba on speed’ – fell out big time. And we go on to talk about the collapse of the Tragedy quintet who sold 22 million records and how the glitter was once again glued back onto to their shiny faces.

But for the moment we chat about Tozer’s reinvention as a musical theatre star. The blonde who once dabbled in dreadlocks has now opted for a shocking two-tone hair style, a witch’s cackle and a genocidal approach to even the cutest of spot-covered canines for her role as Cruella de Vil in the stage show 101 Dalmatians.

“It’s a great role for me to play because Cruella is one of the most iconic female villains of all time,” she says in excited voice. “She’s dark, and what a contrast, with me coming from being in the shiny pop band. And what’s fun so much fun in playing her is she is so extreme, so cartoony and I also get to do funny voices.” And sing of course.

Steps Steps (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus) The show is co-written by actor Douglas Hodge and Scots comedy star Johnny McKnight, with the original children’s story given a revamp. Now, Cruella a modern monster: a vape-smoking social media influencer with a nasty line in attention-seeking and right-wing trolling. And of course, it’s a morality tale for the age. “This is a really clever version,” says Tozer. “The puppetry is incredible, and it really appeals to a wider audience.”

Faye Tozer has appeared in a range of musical theatre successes since Steps imploded in 1992. But her ability to reinvent shouldn’t come as a great surprise. Tozer has been on stage from the age of six when she appeared as a tiny dancer in a panto at the Luton Library Theatre with Davy Jones from The Monkees. (“A really kind man, who gave us all presents at Christmas.”) Her parents ran a local am-dram theatre group. “Me and my sister were on stage a lot, which is my passion.”

After stage school, and performing with a dance troupe and working as a professional singer at the Hilton Hotel Park Lane in London, an advert in The Stage led to the creation of Steps in 1997. However, five years on, the beautiful young people began to look less attractive to each other. But all groups implode at some point. It’s inevitable, isn’t it? “Yes,” she says softly. Yet, the following years were tough. Tozer, then 25, says she lost all sense of herself. She felt a huge void.

But in 2004 Tozer auditioned for a production of Tell Me on A Sunday, and it was the beginning of a new career, appearing on stage in the likes of Me and My Girl. Yet, Steps sold 22m records. Given she must be a multi-millionaire, why endure the rigours of touring theatre? Why not relax at home with Michael and your son, Ben?

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She smiles. “Well, we didn’t become multi-millionaires, but we were lucky in that we had really good financial advice. We knew that if we had a fabulous tour bus with a bar then that expense would come out of our earnings at the end of the day. As a Nineties pop band, we weren’t screwed over, although some people did try. And we had to fight to get our own songs on the albums.”

Tozer adds that if even she were seriously loaded, she’d still be putting on the Cruella wig. “It’s my passion,” she maintains. “And I love to see what I can continue to achieve in life.” She reflects for a moment. “My husband talks of how nice it will be to retire, but I want to be performing, playing that little old lady or whatever.”

The Steps members kissed and made up a while back. The silly jealousies recognised for what they were. “It was really painful at the time. But youngsters don’t really know their own mind. We’ve aired that laundry.”

Indeed. The group will get back together again with their Here and Now musical in November. And Faye Tozer is in a very good place. “You learn that this is a rollercoaster ride,” she reflects of the career as a performer. “It’s always a challenge. And when you have success, you’re aware so many people are coming up behind you, especially given the social media phenomenon, where anyone can be a star. At times I’m confused by it all. Should I be online more, streaming, putting yourself out there. I find it difficult to be navigating.”

Tozer laughs. “But I’m still here because I love singing and dancing and acting. The fact I get paid for it is just a bonus.”

101 Dalmatians, the King’s Theatre, Glasow, November 12-16 and Edinburgh Playhouse, November 19-23.

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