Ten finalists battled it out on Sunday at a packed event to be crowned the Thanet’s Got Talent winner.
Fighting in the final, held at the Pavilion in Broadstairs, were 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 as well as wildcards Adam Green (acoustics) and singer Dannii Church.
Judges were Sandra Martin from Gogglebox, Councillor Gary Taylor, Alice Dawn- Liberty Park singer- singer Julie Sharp and Margate’s Eli Thompson. Simon Wallis and Jane Wenham-Jones were the comperes.
The event was also joined by Junior Face of Kent Caitlin Goddard.
The winner was singer Olivia Rogers with second place going to ‘kid of pop’ Otis Phoenix and third place to singer Mia Gedge.
Olivia, 13, is not just a talented singer but also a member of Regency Performing Arts and has had roles in productions including Oliver and Bugsy Malone.
Otis is a 10-year-old Michael Jackson dance tribute performer. The Palm Bay Primary pupil has been dancing for just over two years and is better known by his stage name “The Kid of Pop”.
Having performed in a number of shows and in her school rock band, St George’s student Mia is now following a career as a solo artist.
Mia also attends Regency Performing Arts school.
The evening included a raffle, autographs and an after party. Elvis tribute band Taking Care of Vegas and belly dancer Luisa Kim, sax player Hamish Simpon, rapper Danny Rhymez and DJ Gary Baker were the guest performances.
Olivia receives £500 cash, a recording session with Seaside Sessions and a trophy. Otis won a meal for two at Mullins Brasserie and a trophy and Mia won a Thanet’s Got Talent t shirt and a trophy. All three will perform at the Margate Soul festival in August.
The event, run by Margate sign company owner Ingrid Payne, was to raise 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.
Thanet’s Got Talent raised a total of £5345.00 bringing Ingrid’s fundraising to just over £10,000. Her target is £20,000.
She said: “We have had celebrities onboard, fantasric judges and comperes. I am putting on a thank you party for everyone that has helped me, including all the semi finalists, on August 10 at St Augustines in Westgate.”
Photos Frank Leppard and Phil Eason