AN IPSWICH teenager is within touching distance of becoming a star after breezing through the first audition stage of this year's X-Factor talent search.

Tom Potter

AN IPSWICH teenager is within touching distance of becoming a star after breezing through the first audition stage of this year's X-Factor talent search.

Jade Peters, 15, of Forfar Close, Ipswich, is busy revising for her GCSE exams but has still found time to impress the ruthless judges on her way to superstardom.

She now has an anxious two week wait before finding out if she's been deemed good enough to face the daunting prospect of performing in front of Simon Cowell and company.

Her successful try out is by no means Jade's first taste of triumph as she romped to victory at this year's May Day festival at Alexandra Park.

The Northgate High School student won the open-mic competition that day with her impressive RnB vocals but is hoping to take her talents to a national audience this summer.

Jade said: “I really want to take it further and become a professional RnB and Soul singer.

“All my friends are excited and have been very supportive and I've been getting lots of text messages wishing me luck.”

With the first test behind her, Jade must wait while her video audition is scrutinized to see if she has what it takes. She's not putting all her eggs in one basket though and will also be expecting her school exam results to be coming through the letter box.

According to mum Susanna Sadler, Jade did brilliantly well just to get this far.

She said: “We had to wait for hours watching other people coming out in tears. There are so many people out there with amazing voices and the same ambition as Jade but I think she can do it.

“Jade's been singing since she was about two years old when she entered a talent competition. She got a bit of stage fright that time but she's a lot more confident now.

“Her gran was a real cockney and was always singing so I think that has something to do with it.”

Jade sang Falling by Alicia Keys and a Beyonce song to get through the audition and could be one of a lucky few to get a chance to feature on national television in a year that has seen the biggest number of entrants in the competition's history.

But she isn't overwhelmed by the prospect of performing in front of millions of expectant viewers and the merciless Mr Cowell.

She said: “I'm really excited and a bit nervous at the same time. Hopefully I'll make it through and I'll just be happy to be in front of the judges.

“I like Simon because he is truthful and it's great to get a chance to sing in front of him.”

We'll be keeping you updated on Jade's progress as she aims to become this year's X-factor winner and want to here from anyone else entering the contest. If you think you have what it takes to become a pop idol write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk