INDYREF guitar hero Lady Alba could be set to return – if a second ballot is on the table.

In 2014, scientist and comedian Zara Gladman took to the streets and the internet with a costumed character that took the chart hits of Lady Gaga and gave them a political rewrite.

Lyrics about love and relationships in the US singer’s smash hit Bad Romance were given a satirical spin presenting arguments against voting No.

These included nuclear weapons on the Clyde, student fees and “a country run by Tory MPs”.

Performing on the streets and in clubs, and posting a music video filled with mask-wearing extras dressed as Tory figureheads online, Gladman became one of the Yes movement’s most recognisable figures, thanks in no small part to her elaborate costuming, which included a wig full of Irn-Bru can rollers and Tunnock’s teacake-wrappered bustier.

Since the dust settled in the wake of the No result, Gladman has stepped back from the character, leaving the outfits in the back of her wardrobe and going on to create comic clips for BBC Scotland strand The Social as well as pursuing a career in science communication.

But the 33-year-old says the summer of 2014 was the “best of my life” and is ready to bring her character back out of the cupboard – as soon as there is a “realistic chance” of indyref2.

“Given the current shitshow, I wouldn’t be surprised if Scotland did become independent,” she says.

Independence is looking more likely now, or at the very least it’s looking more likely that we’ll get a referendum.”

The Lady Alba character grew out of Gladman’s “obsession” with the 2014 vote. “During the referendum I was obsessed. My whole life revolved around it to the point where I think it was lucky I was single,” she says. “The referendum was my boyfriend.

“I’d go to work, come home and go out campaigning. Every weekend was campaigning. Everything I talked about was related to the referendum. It was my life, I don’t regret it and I loved it but after, I slowly disengaged and started to reclaim parts of my life and live a bit more healthily.

“For me it was a really fun, joyous time, and the Yes campaign did its best to try to be inclusive, but it didn’t reach everyone. I still meet people who didn’t vote or felt left out. My boyfriend is a staunch Yes supporter now, but he had a completely different experience of that period from me. As an English person, he felt alienated by the campaign and didn’t feel listened to.

“If there is a second referendum, the Yes campaign has to make sure it is listening and make sure people aren’t left out of the debate.”

To read the full article, pre-order our souvenir magazine at www.thenational.scot/shop