The finalists for Thanet’s Got Talent have been chosen and will battle it out on June 23.
Judges including writer Jane Wenham-Jones, Michael Appleton, Miles Hughton, Danny Rhymez, Samantha Roberton and Charlie Jennet took on the tough job of whittling down the semi-finalists at an event on Saturday held at Olby’s Soul Café in Margate.
Fighting in the final will be singer Emileigh-anne Wallis, dancer Otis Phoenix, singers Miá Gedge, Eve Allen Welland, Tony Buck, rapper Benn Cockram , singer Olivia Rogers and singer/guitarist Lewis Johnson.
Two wild cards have also been put through – Adam Green (acoustics) and singer Dannii Church.
The final will take place at the Broadstairs Pavilion from 6pm.
There will be a raffle, autographs and an after party. Elvis tribute band Taking Care of Vegas, belly dancer Luisa Kim will be among guest acts at the finals and there will be celebrity guests including Miles from Tracey Beaker’s The Dumping Ground.
Judges will be entertainment guru Graeme Corner, Sandra Martin from Gogglebox, Councillor Gary Tayor, ALice Dawn- Liberty Park singer- singer Julie Sharp and, to be confirmed, Margate’s Eli Thompson. Simon Wallis and Jane Wenham-Jones will compere.
The winning act will receive £500 cash, a recording session with Seaside Sessions, a trophy and will perform at a venue to be arranged.
The event, run by Margate sign company owner Ingrid Payne, is raising funds so she can have surgery after being turned down for NHS treatment.
Ingrid suffers from lipoedema which is a long-term condition where there’s an abnormal build-up of fat cells in the legs, thighs and buttocks, and sometimes in the arms.
Tickets cost £10 and can be bought by calling 07305 742760 or order through the Thanet’s Got Talent facebook page here