OXFORD mother Fabia Cerra tonight said she had no regrets about performing a burlesque strip tease in front of almost 12 million ITV viewers.

The 35-year-old, from Greater Leys, said she was shaking with nerves as she strutted her stuff for Britain’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden.

But the mother-of-one held herself together to win a standing ovation and storm through to the next round of the competition.

And – despite hitting out at sensationalist stories printed in yesterday’s national newspapers after her TV appearance last night – Miss Cerra, of Centaury Place, said she couldn’t wait to be on stage again.

She said: “I have never felt so frightened in my life – I had a pure adrenalin rush.

“I tried so hard to compose myself, but I was absolutely petrified.

“I couldn’t really see the audience very well, because of all the light. All I could see were the judges.

“I just prayed they didn’t press the buzzers straight away.

“I was really concerned Piers Morgan might say I was too big to dance or Simon Cowell might not think I was right for the show.”

Miss Cerra, who attended Pegasus, Wesley Green and Peers schools in the 1980s, decided to enter Britain’s Got Talent after taking up burlesque dancing lessons in Reading last year.

She was a champion disco dancer when she was a child and loved performing in front of family and friends.

But as she grew older she battled drug addiction and depression.

In 2004, she gave birth to her son Leone Thomson.

She said: “I took up burlesque dancing lessons again because I wanted to have a hobby of my own and something to look forward to.

“It’s hard work looking after my boy. He needs a lot of looking after.”

She saw a TV advert inviting people to audition for Britain’s Got Talent, and said: “I thought I would take a risk.

“I thought nothing would happen, but a few weeks later I received an invitation to come and audition.

“I have no regrets. I would definitely do it again if I had another opportunity.

“I loved being on stage – it took me back to when I was a little girl.

“I like Simon Cowell, because he makes shows for people who don’t normally have the opportunity to show their talents.

“He opens doors for people.”

She is hoping to join a burlesque group to perform in Oxford clubs and is also now considering setting up dance classes for women living locally.

She added: “I want to give woman with curves confidence.

“Burlesque dancing is cheeky, naughty and fun.”

Last year, Miss Cerra wrote a warts-and-all memoir about her life in Oxford.

The book, called In 2 Minds, was first published on the Internet and is now due to be issued as a book by Chipmunka Publishing in the summer.

Britian's Got Talent is a search for new entertainment acts, featuring singers, dancers, comedians and variety performers.

The winner of the current series will appear at the Royal Variety Show, in front of members of the Royal Family.

During her performance on Saturday night, ITV covered up Miss Cerra’s breasts with Union Jack flags, because her dance was so risqué.

She received a standing ovation from all three judges, who lavished praise on her act. Simon Cowell, pictured, said: “Oh my God”, before Piers Morgan added: “You are my kind of woman. That’s all I want to say. If I had my way, you would be in the final right now.”

Amanda Holden said: “I nearly had to be carried off in an ambulance.”

Mr Cowell said: “I absolutely adore you.”

He added: “For curvaceous women everywhere you made your point, my love. You’re through to the next round.”

Miss Cerra, who filmed her performance in December last year, is expecting to find out when she is next due to perform again in front of the cameras in the coming weeks.

She said: “Everyone is in with a chance of winning – but I will certainly tone down my performance if I’m invited to perform in front of the Royal Family.”