Teenager wins TV talent show

Charlotte's ambition is to work in musical theatre

A 14-year-old Staffordshire singer is heading for a career on the West End stage after winning the first ever Stars In Their Eyes children's talent show.

Charlotte Gethin, from Cannock, Staffordshire, attracted 282,422 votes on Sunday's show after singing Eva Cassidy's Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

The Cannock Chase High School pupil has been asked to audition for a lead role in the West End musical Whistle Down The Wind.

The outstanding memory for me was standing together with the other five finalists

Charlotte Gethin

Charlotte, whose ambition is to work in musical theatre, said she never thought it would be her.

"I'm thrilled because I've won and really sad because it's all over," she said.

"It was an amazing experience.

"The outstanding memory for me was standing together with the other five finalists. We were all in it together as a team."

Terrific achievement

After the show she was shown a video message from Eva Cassidy's parents, saying they were honoured she had chosen to appear as their daughter.

Her mother Denise said she was speechless when she saw the number of votes for Charlotte.

"The whole experience has been wonderful and I'm so proud of her," she said

Stars in Their Eyes host Matthew Kelly said it was a terrific achievement to get through to the final and all finalists should feel very proud.

The other finalists were: Lewis Devine from Southport, Louise Emmanuel from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, Porsha Mavour, Anerley, London, Amanda Tinkler, from Cumbria and Russell Parson, of Salisbury, Wiltshire.