TV spot for singer

SAMANTHA Butterworth from Liskeard is looking forward to success on a new television programme, The Next Big Thing.

Fifteen-year-old Samantha recorded a song written for her by Rick Finney and submitted the recording for The Next Big Thing. She was interviewed over the phone and subsequently attended an audition in Cardiff. After 10 days Samantha was informed that she had made it through to the show.

For part of the series, Samantha was filmed performing in her regular slot on Friday nights at The Trecarn Hotel in Babbacombe and also talking about her life.

She said: 'When they were filming me it was really nerve-racking. I was quite nervous but after a while I was just acting as normal, waving my arms around as usual and I forgot all about the camera!' Samantha sings more traditional songs suited to the older audience at the hotel but is ready to let rip with her choice of songs for the series, possibly including a cover version and most certainly some modern ballads.

Samantha is performing at Sterts in the production of Oliver and also performed in The Sound of Music at Sterts last year and in various other productions at her school, Plymouth High School.

Samantha said: 'I would like to perform professionally either in singing, acting or dancing.'

There will be a series of 10 shows and the audience, aged between 14 and 18, will vote for which act wins in each show. The final will involve a nationwide telephone vote.

Samantha and her family, dad Paul, mum Corby, and three brothers, Gareth, aged 12, six-year-old William and four-year-old George have lived in Liskeard for the past two years, having moved from Stoke Climsland.

Corby said: 'We are so proud of Samantha, we always knew she would do something like this. Her talent doesn't run in the family but I'm living my dreams through her now!'