Ayr singing sensation needs your help

Dec 10 2009 By Jen Buchanan

Nicola Cassells

CAN’T wait for X-Factor? Need a mid-week fix of talent? Well songbird Nicola Cassells is your girl and she needs your help.

The teenage singing sensation has reached the final 50 of the Retail Trust Search For A Star competition, a nationwide competition for workers in the retail industry.

Nicola, 19, of Ayr, is battling against competitors from across the UK representing companies including Marks and Spencers, Early Learning Centre, House of Fraser and Matalan.

The former Queen Margaret Academy pupil, who works at H Samuel jewellers in Ayr’s Kyle Centre, flew to London to audition within the company before progressing to the national stage.

At the Scottish auditions, held at the Xscape arena at Braehead, she wowed the judges singing the Sarah Brightman classic, Time To Say Goodbye. The judging panel which included celebrity Lisa Maffia and talent scout Tony Hopper, were blown away by the Ayr lass and didn’t hesitate in voting her forward to the final 50 in the UK wide contest.

The four performers with the most votes will win a host of exciting prizes including performing at the Retail Trust London Ball at the exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel, a feature in the Sunday Express and OK! magazine and a fabulous trip for two to Monaco.

The talented singer said:"I am hoping to do more local performances in order to get as many votes as possible as I really want to get to the final so much."

Soloist Nicola also sings as part of vocal group Ayrshire Voices and performed at the christmas light switch on ceremony at Ayr Central where she was seen by Provost Winifred Sloan.

Provost Sloan told the Ayrshire Post: "Nicola is Ayrshire’s answer to Katherine Jenkins. She is extremely talented and I’m supporting her all the way."

You can see Nicola peform at www.retailtrustsearchforastar.co.uk and vote for her by texting STAR 03 to 60155. Texts cost £1 plus one standard network rate text.Voting closes at midnight on the December 15.

Go on! Get behind our girl.

To see Nicola perform log on to www.youtube.com/nicolaforeveryoung.