I have always sung, at school, in church, for my own enjoyment and lately for the big occasion. Of course, I felt nervous before Born To Shine and it’s good to have the adrenalin flowing but, once I started, I knew I could do it. You get one go on live television and I wanted to do my very best.

The opportunities with Voice In A Million certainly helped, especially singing with some great people, watching and studying others. I got involved with VIAM when I saw their website asking for singers to audition for a major concert and I thought I’d just give it a go. From the moment I walked through the door I realised VIAM is such a great setup, lovely people whose aim it is to make the world aware of the difficulties involved in children finding loving homes and matching them with families who have just that.

My love of singing and performing goes hand in hand with helping a good cause. I saw their website and turned up with loads of others at an audition.

I sang A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and Lean on Me and I remember VIAM’s Jo Garafalo was really smiling at me. The next thing I knew I was asked to come back for the big rehearsal week at Shepperton Studios.

Little did I know that I would be opening the second half of the live show at London O2 Arena singing Pie Jesu! Voice In A Million is fantastic and you could be doing it too. Whole schools can take part in the arena concerts. Tell your teachers!

Words by Sophie Plummer