YOU can’t ignore Toni Warne.

But it’s her striking voice which really catches your attention.

Ipswich’s very own singing star has been wowing audiences with her soulful tone ever since she first stepped on to the stage of talent show The Voice.

Her renditions of Will Young’s Leave Right Now and Tina Turner’s Proud Mary have seen leading industry artists heap praise on the 34-year-old.

And now, as the number of contestants continues to whittle down, Toni’s childhood dream of earning a lucrative recording contract is edging closer to reality.

The former Chantry High School student will be once again taking to the stage tomorrow and, if she secures enough votes, will be through to the semi-finals of the competition.

Toni revealed she will be performing Elton John’s Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word tomorrow night and said she is confident she can make it through to the final

“It has all been incredible, very emotional,” she said.

“You start to believe you can do it and I’ve started to think that this is what my life should be about.

“This is a huge platform, there’s no doubt about it. All I want to do is perform in front of an audience.

“Whatever happens, I’m going to sing.”

Toni was born in Ipswich and lived in the town until she was 20 years old, before she moved to Great Yarmouth where she currently lives with her partner, Jason Keyte, and their two children, Thomas and Lily.

It was in the Ipswich area where she first began singing - and getting noticed, winning Bob Monkhouse’s Opportunity Knocks on three occasions.

Toni has already been in discussions with agents and she is planning to put together an album.

She added: “Ipswich is where I was brought up and it was my home for 20 years.

“I love where I’m living now but Ipswich is a massive part of my life.

“I am writing an album and I will most certainly want to put forward a gig in Ipswich.”

? Would you like to send a message of support to Toni? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, IP4 1AN, or e-mail starletters @archant.co.uk