Suffolk’s finest talent had a date at the Ipswich Regent on Saturday night.

The last ever Ipswich Has Got Talent 2016, was awash with home-grown and international artists. Proving ‘you’re damn right Ipswich has talent’, twelve acts, who had each been finalists in previous competitions since it first started in 2009, took centre stage with a host of skills to show off.

Judging the hopefuls, with one finally being crowned the Champion of Champions, was Suffolk soprano, Laura Wright, Ipswich ballet master, Gary Avis and Keith Jack, who is best known for finishing second on BBC 1’s Any Dream Will Do and will be playing the Prince in this year’s pantomime at the Regent, Sleeping Beauty.

The evening kicked off with a performance from Aaron Carty, an international Beyonce impersonator, who first hit the screens on Britain’s Got Talent. Proving that Sasha is indeed Fierce with his struts and shimmies, he was also a judge.

From here, the finalists performed in turn, with the evening being compered by Wayne Bavin, from Town 102.

Highlights included a high-tempo and very-well choreographed routine from The Cheeky Monkeys, who were aged 10 to 14. Just Jay Dance also performed a medley of upbeat showstoppers, and the Torwood Wheelers, who perform on giant wheels, added a touch of circus to the evening. There were 8 singers, each with their own personality and style. By far the best of the evening, was 15-year-old Connie Lamb, whose rendition of And I’m Telling You, from the musical Dreamgirls, captivated the audience with her powerful vocals and strong story-telling.

The Ipswich Hospital Choir also gave a fine performance, and five-piece group, Diamond, who have raised more than #11,000 for charity, were worthy finalists.

The judges had a tough job deciding the winner of the event, but were apparently unanimous in their decision. After much drama and anticipation, the winner was finally crowned. Wordsworth lyricist, Waltzz, was awarded the Champion of Champions. Playing a keyboard as he recites his own song, Whatever It Takes, he is a mix of Eminem and Pro Green.

Remember his name - no doubt, you’ll be hearing it a lot.