10:00am Tuesday 7th September 2010
By Lauren Rogers
OVERNIGHT singing sensation Cher Lloyd from Malvern has most of the UK talking about her following her X Factor debut.
The 17-year-old wowed the judges when she made it through the first round of the TV talent show on Saturday night.
Judge Louis Walsh said she was born to be a pop star, while Cheryl Cole told her: “You are right up my street. You are actually my favourite audition so far.”
The former Dyson Perrins CE Sports College pupil, who lives in Malvern with her family, is already the bookmakers’ favourite to win.
Paul Todd, manager of Sin Bar where Cher took to the stage in the Text Factor competition earlier this year, said: “This is fantastic for Cher and fantastic for Worcester. Whether she wins or not, she’s got the nation’s attention.”
More than 36,700 people joined Cher’s fan group on Facebook over the weekend and thousands more are talking about her on the social networking website Twitter. Even celebrities are backing her.
Chart-topping rapper Tinie Tempah said: “Just watched Cher Lloyd’s X Factor audition. Love it. New generation, new era, new age, new culture. Good luck, hun.”
American R&B singer Ciara sent her a message saying: “We all start somewhere. Keep believing. Dreams do come true.”
Even England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, whose wife Jessica Taylor was a member of pop group Liberty X, is supporting the local teenager. He said: “Here’s a big shout. Cher to win X Factor.”
Speaking after the audition, Cher told the programme’s viewers she was “on top of the world”.
She said: “It was amazing and everything I’ve ever wanted.
“My audition went really well, better than I expected. I didn’t think I’d get those comments at all. It’s all a bit of a whirl. Cheryl Cole was really interested in what I do. I think it’s about time people heard from me. This is my big chance.”
On Monday she was interviewed live on ITV’s This Morning and revealed that she is already getting recognised in the street.
It’s not the first time Cher has impressed an audience. Earlier this year, she came second in the X Factor-inspired Text Factor contest. In 2008 she was named best solo female at Worcestershire’s Pop Idols competition and in 2007 she also won a high school talent contest.
David Griffin, headteacher of Dyson Perrins, said: “She’s a very talented young lady. She contributed to many of our art showcases, performing herself and encouraging and motivating the youn-ger students. We’re delighted by her success. It’s well-deserved and we wish her every success in the X Factor.”
Having got through the first audition, Cher has now taken part in the programme’s boot camp. Filming took place earlier this summer but the public won’t find out if she made it through until the show is aired on ITV later this month.
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