THERE was disappointment for Abby Huett in the hotly-contested TeenStar singing competition after she failed to book her place in the final.
But Princethorpe College pupil Lucy Stanton will fly the flag for the area after winning the public vote at the NEC to take her place in next month’s final.
Eleven-year-old Abby, who goes to Avon Valley School, sung Upside Down by Paloma Faith, earning her praise by judges in the pre-teen category for her stage presence but they also said her nerves were obvious.
It was the first time she had entered a singing contest after previously dedicating much of her time to Rugby’s Synchronised Swimming Team.
Her mum told us: “She was brilliant but sadly didn’t make it through to the final six. In my opinion she should have as she did everything expected of her and was really good working the stage.
“She’s now joined the Strawhouse singing group in Rugby and has just started singing lessons in Birmingham to help her get the most potential from her voice.”
Lucy, 17 and from Southam, was not one of the initial five to gain automatic selection into the July 19 grand final in the late-teen category, but with the most amount of text votes after her version of At Last by Etta James was given the wild card. She will sing Adele’s James Bond theme tune Skyfall in the final.
“I couldn’t believe the support I received. To be honest me and my family have been overwhelmed by it all.
“The votes were pouring in and then when we heard the news I had won I was ecstatic. This means so much to me and my plans for my singing career.”
The winner will get £5,000 and coverage in magazine such as Q and Mojo as well as a slot at The Hop Farm Music Festival.
Last year’s winner Luke Friend made it to the latter stages of X Factor.
