Rhiannon spotted by top pop boss

From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.

THE bright lights of the West End could be looming for talented teenager Rhiannon Lambert after she caught the eye of a top pop manager.

The 16-year-old George Ward School student was taking part in a competition on Saturday judged by Jonathan Shalit who manages R&B star Jamelia.

She was picked from more than 50 acts in a talent show to raise money for St Mary's Church in Market Lavington.

Rhiannon, of Woodrow Road, Melksham, will travel to London with backstage passes for the West End show The Woman in White.

The weekend was a double success for Rhiannon who also won the over-16 category of the Starry Eyes competition held in Trowbridge.

"Through Starry Eyes, I had heard about this competition and the final would be judged by Jonathan Shalit," she said.

"He is obviously a key man in the music industry and it was an amazing opportunity."

Rhiannon sang Time to Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman in front of an audience of more than 100 people on Saturday.

"I have always wanted to sing in a West End show so the prize is amazing," she said.

"I get to go backstage and meet Ruthie Henshaw after the show and she is one of my all-time idols."

Rhiannon has been singing since she was 12 and her dream is to star in a West End musical.

She is also a member of the Bath Operatic Dramatic Society.

"It was nerve-wracking performing in front of someone like that," she said.

"I didn't think he liked me so when I was picked as the winner I was absolutely delighted."

The show was organised by Rosetta Gutteridge who produced the BBC1 show, Star For a Night, five years ago.

She discovered teenage soul sensation Joss Stone at the age of 13.

Mrs Gutteridge said: "Jonathan has said he could definitely see Rhiannon fronting a big musical in the West End and was really impressed at the weekend.

"It came about because we are hoping to raise money for St Mary's Church in Market Lavington. We managed to raise over £1,000 which was a real success.

"Jonathan is a friend of mine so I asked him if he would get involved and he agreed.

"I knew if we could get a high profile judge involved, it would make the competition stand out from all the other talent shows."

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