A burlesque dancer who shot to fame with a televised striptease says she has been inspired by comedian Stephen Fry to overcome her bi-polar disorder and start a new career in business. Fabia Cerra, 36, from Greater Leys, Oxford, has qualified as a perfumer and beautician and is now seeking funding to launch her perfume and skin-care business.

Earlier this year, she fell off the stage while performing on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance?, having earlier reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Now she is putting her media career on hold while she recovers from her injuries, and her bruised pride.

"I have to take a step back and accept the fall and the humiliation. Maybe I'll make a massive comeback in a couple of years," she said.

Fabia Cosmetics aims to use smell to lift the mood of her customers.

Ms Cerra had a turbulent childhood and discovered that she was bi-polar in her early 20s after years of unexplained bouts of ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of deep depression.

She said it was a relief to be diagnosed in 2003 with the same illness as Stephen Fry and Winston Churchill, whom she cites as her inspiration. She is now on lifelong medication.

She said: “For such a long time I was unwell because I was misdiagnosed and was affected by mood swings and anxiety.

"Once my bi-polar condition was spotted by a doctor, I researched the condition and found ways to manage the effects and to use it creatively. I haven’t been seriously ill since 2003, and I’m now catching up on that time.”

Two years ago, she published her memoir In 2 Minds and her beauty therapy book, Ciao Bella, is due to be published later this year.

She has been working with Paul Griffiths, of Business Link, to develop a business plan, register the website address www.fabiacosmetics.co.uk, and reserve a place on a series of free start-up workshops covering finance, planning and selling.

She funded her perfume training by saving from benefits she receives for herself and her four-year-old son Leone, who has developmental problems.

Ms Cerra said: "It took me two years to save up. I can't just shell out money and there's no point my going to a bank — they're just going to turn me down."

Having trained as a beauty therapist in 1992, her more recent courses covered skin-care products, their ingredients and the effects smells have on the mind and memories.

She describes her fragrance as "an oil-based perfume which has no ethanol in it, and is therefore kinder to the skin".

She added: "I chose smells I like including vetiver and javanol. I also added lemon which reminds me of Italy, where my father was born.

“Everyone who has tried out the perfume likes it. The next step is to secure some funding so that I can put in a bulk order and start selling it. It may take me more than one application and I’m prepared to try several avenues.

"It’s really important for me to keep learning and to use my experience, creativity and passion to drive my businesses.”

She is pinning her hopes on an application to the Fredericks Foundation, which helps disadvantaged people to set up, or expand their own business, and hopes that once her business is profitable she can raise money for a cancer charity run by Julie Cowell, mother of reality show guru Simon Cowell.

Mr Griffiths said: “I really admire Fabia’s energy and drive. She’s got a great business idea and we’ve talked through her options and business plans.

"Fabia’s signed up to attend Business Link’s free start up workshops and this is a great next step. Business Link’s support and advice is available to Fabia and those like her who want to start a business using their talents and creativity.”

o To contact Ms Cerra, or inquire about Business Link courses, visit www.bringyourideastolife.co.uk or call 0845 600 9 006.