SHE was only voted off X Factor just over a week ago but power-voiced Rowetta is already moving on with her career.

By JO MACDONALD

Entertainment editor

Joanne.macdonald@eveningstar.co.uk

SHE was only voted off X Factor just over a week ago but power-voiced Rowetta is already moving on with her career.

And her first post-show nightclub gig will be in Ipswich.

The singer who failed to make the final three when she was ousted from the ITV1 talent competition, is set to make an appearance at Liquid, in Cardinal Park, on Friday .

Rowetta won fans across the nation with not only her powerful voice but an emotional personality.

At her very first audition she pleaded with the judges to give her a chance and as she progressed through the competition there were concerns she was too uncontrollable to be a safe contestant to take through to the final stages.

However, Simon Cowell, taking on the over 25s category, felt willing to give her a shot and as a calmer Rowetta sang week in, week out in the live finals, her mentor seemed to have at last begun taming her.

She said in a recent interview: "Some people probably think I'm a bit over the top, but I'm just myself. I don't hide a thing. I could pretend to be really quiet every time the cameras are on me, but I won't do that."

Rowetta's past has also been well documented. She spent time in a woman's refuge, was part of the Madchester scene of the early 1990s and was a battered wife.

She battled through it, however, raising two children and never losing sight of dreams to which X Factor has now added fuel.

The 38-year-old said: "I just want to be known as a great singer, I would like to be nominated for an award for one of the best female singers.

"I've not been able to be a solo singer; I've been stuck in the back while my children were growing up so this is the first time I'm able to do it with confidence."

n Rowetta will be at Liquid Nightclub, in Cardinal Park, Ipswich, on Friday. The club is open from 9.30pm to 3am. Admission is free before 11pm and £5 after.

Liquid Nightclub is offering one lucky winner a VIP night out at the venue to see Rowetta.

The prize on offer is to meet and be photographed with the singer. It also includes free entry to the club, a queue jump, and a free bottle of champagne.

To enter the competition, answer the following question: For which 'Madchester' band did Rowetta once provide backing vocals?

Send your answers, by Thursday morning, including a daytime phone number, to Rowetta Competition, Liquid Nightclub, Cardinal Park, Ipswich, IP1 1AX.

The competition is open to those 18-year-old and older only.

N Ticket - see page 12