Felixstowe schoolgirl sings for Alison Hammond and AJ Pritchard

Katie Mitton, 15, reached the finals of Parkdean Resorts’ Talent Nation Competition.  

She spent last weekend singing in front of celebrities, including host Vernon Kay and judges Alison Hammond, AJ Pritchard, 'Milkshake!' presenter Derek Moran, and dance troupe Flawless of Britain’s Got Talent fame.  

Katie Mitton travelled to Skegness for the final round of the contest last weekend. Credit: Katie Mitton (Image: Katie Mitton)

She heard about the competition by chance, on holiday with her family at Highfield Grange holiday park in Clacton in August. 

She had heard the resort might be running a talent competition and enquired about it one day. 

“They said, if you want to do it, you need to register in the next 20 minutes!” said Katie. 

“We were meant to be going to a pool party, so I was dressed in my swimwear. 

“We sprinted back to the caravan, downloaded a track onto my mum’s phone and ran back to do rehearsals for the talent show, which was that evening. 

“Anyone there would have seen me rehearsing in my bright yellow bikini. It was quite incredible.” 

Katie won her first and second rounds of the competition. Credit: Katie Mitton (Image: Katie Mitton)

Katie sang ‘Don’t Forget Me’ from the musical TV series SMASH, and won that first round, which was one of several taking place around the country. 

Katie returned for the second round in October and won again.  

The final third and fourth rounds took place last weekend in Skegness. 

“I was sat there in rehearsals, and Vernon Kay came and sat down next to me,” said Katie.  

“It was incredible, especially getting feedback from the judges after I performed. 

“The guys from Flawless said they felt like they were at an actual musical.” 

Katie with her proud mother, Sarah. Credit: Katie Mitton (Image: Katie Mitton)

Katie won the first round of the competition, after hearing about it with only 20 minutes to spare. Credit: Katie Mitton (Image: Katie Mitton)

Katie made it to the final 12 contestants and was delighted to have come so far. Her mother, Sarah that she was proud of her daughter’s determination and work ethic. 

“To see Katie achieving things is just amazing,” she said. “I want her to achieve her dreams.” 

Katie is now hard at work rehearsing for her role of Miss Honey in her school’s upcoming production of Matilda. Her younger sister, Willow, will be playing the starring role. 

Before that, Katie will be performing in Ipswich Regent’s Christmas panto, Peter Pan, in the role of a lost child.