JUBILANT Jade Wilkinson has been crowned champion of Swindon Talent 09.

The 16-year-old singer from Haydon Wick beat off stiff competition from 11 other acts at the Arts Centre with a sparkling rendition of Leona Lewis’s top 10 hit, Bleeding Love, to carry off the first prize.

“I am just so shocked to win,” said Jade, after being presented with champagne, flowers and her prizes by the Mayor of Swindon, David Wren.

“The competition was so tough. There were so many talented acts performing that I didn’t expect to win.

“I have won other talent competitions before but this is really big. I am sure winning Swindon Talent is going to make a big difference to me having seen what happened to last year’s winners, and it is going to be a huge boost to my confidence.

“I love performing, I love going on stage, and I am just so happy to have won. The rehearsals this afternoon didn’t go very well at all, so I was very nervous when I went on stage, but to win is brilliant.”

Jade performed in front of a sell-out audience at the Arts Centre, which included her mum, dad and boyfriend. She had qualified for the finals from last month’s Commonweal School heat – one of four qualifying rounds staged in the build-up to Saturday’s showdown.

Three years ago, Jade won Swindon Pop Idol, and since then the former St Joseph’s School pupil has taken part in several talent competitions around the country. Next month she will start a BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts course at New College.

Full story in today's Swindon Advertiser and see the full show on line.