An up-and-coming singing star from Suffolk will tonight have her voice heard by thousands of people across the country as her first ever televised appearance is aired.

Charlotte Palmer, who goes by the stage name Charlie Langham, will perform one of Broadway’s best known songs, If My Friends Could See Me Now, on the Elaine Page Show in front of guests including actress Maureen Lipman.

The former King Edward VI School pupil was selected from hundreds of students to learn from Elaine, who is best known from her roles in musical theatre, and perform a number from the show, Sweet Charity.

The 22-year-old said: “Elaine gave me expert advice about being physically free enough to own the stage and use it effectively as this song demands spontaneity to make use of the space, particularly as Charity is such an energised and dynamic character.

“As I was singing her words it suddenly sunk in just how apt were some of the lyrics in the song. All I can say is wowee – look at where I am!

“It was especially nerve wracking as I’m not as used to performing to cameras as I am to people, but having such a warm, receptive audience certainly helped.

“It was also an amazing workshop experience beforehand and a wonderful opportunity to be mentored by Elaine Paige.”

Other guests on the show, which is pre-recorded and will be shown on Sky Arts 1 at 8pm today, will be Hannah Waddington, Clive Rowe and Broadway star, Christine Andreas.

Charlie, who lives with her mother in Ipswich when she is not at college, was born in Hertfordshire but moved to Bury St Edmunds when she was a teenager.

She has been involved in the Suffolk Young People’s Theatre group and has appeared at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds and St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

After finishing her A-levels, she secured a place at the Arts Educational Schools London, in Chiswick, before moving on to the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts at Wood Green in North London, where she is currently completing her final year, studying musical theatre.