A NORTH Tawton singer is off to London later this month for an X-Factor-style talent contest, which could help land her a recording contract. Amy Paddon, 17, has won through two sets of heats to make the last four at the UK Unsigned finals, taking place at the Clapham Grand in London, on Sunday, November 26. Amy is the only singer from Devon to reach the finals and is hoping the public will back a local girl by texting their support in the public vote. She will be up against three other talented young singers from different parts of the country in the 'Teens' category of the contest and has chosen to sing the Celine Dion ballad Think Twice. Amy said she was nervous but looking forward to the competition: 'It is going to be quite nerve-wracking. It is a big audience. At the semi-finals, there were 400 people there and this time, there will be even more.' At the semi-final stage, Amy sang the up-tempo Take Another Little Piece of my Heart, but for the final she has decided to show her range by singing a slower song. Amy said: 'I have been singing since I was aged about nine, but this is the biggest competition I have been in.' She has also previously competed in the Riveria Stars contest in Torquay, and has sung at the Okehampton Lions Gift of Music evening and other local events. Amy is a former pupil of Okehampton Primary School and Okehampton College, she has recently finished studying at college in Exeter and is currently working in a petrol station. Each category winner at the UK Unsigned final will take part in a grand finale and awards showcase next March, where music industry figures will be looking out for the next pop sensation. Each act will be given a ten-minute showcase at the Hackney Empire. A text vote has also been set up, so if Amy is not chosen as the judges' overall winner, she could still get through to the awards night if she succeeds in getting the most text votes. The winner will get the chance to record and release a single with the possibility of inking their signature on a recording contract and setting out on the road to stardom. The UK Unsigned contest is in its sixth year, and is organised by the Society for the Advancement of British Arts (SABA). • To vote for Amy text 'UKU (space) 11' and send it to 81066. Texts cost 50p. The lines are already open and will close at the end of the show on November 26, when the winners will be announced.
