Chanel loves smell of success

Jun 13 2011 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

DANCING Queen Chanel McPhail hopes to quickstep her way to a stage career after winning a place in the Scottish finals of a major talent contest.

The Paisley girl reached the regional finals of the Mecca’s Got Talent competition, organised by the bingo giants, following a spectacular performance in her heats.

In front of a panel of independent judges, 19-year-old Chanel wowed the audience with her musical theatre dance act, set to the hit tune If My Friends Could See Me Now from favourite musical Sweet Charity.

College student Chanel said: “I couldn’t believe it when the host called out my name to say that I’d won through to the next stage.

“It’s been an amazing experience so far and my friends and family have been behind me throughout so, hopefully, I’ll be able to make it through the next stage and do them proud.”

Having won through her first heat at Mecca’s Paisley bingo hall, Chanel – who has been dancing since she was just four – followed that up with another storming performance in the semi-finals at Drumchapel.

She will now join five other performers from around Scotland at the regional finals event on Friday at Mecca’s Forge bingo hall in Glasgow’s East End.

If she triumphs once more, she will qualify for the national final, which will take place at Mecca Bingo in the Midlands, where TV’s Lorraine Kelly will host the event which offers the winner a year-long performance deal.

Now the ambitious teenager hopes to use the competition as a springboard to a career in showbiz.

She said: “I have been dancing since I was really tiny and it has been my whole life.

“I have attended various dance and drama schools and it would be a dream come true if I could win this comeptition and then go on to a life in showbusiness.

“When I was younger I would always go to my auntie’s house and choreograph a routine for my own wee show. My mum is always saying that I need my own stage.

“Hopefully one day I can make it big and reach the level where I can perform on TV or on stage somewhere like Broadway.”

Billy MacLeod, general manager of Mecca Bingo in Drumchapel which hosted the semi-final, backed Chanel to go all the way.

He said: “Over the course of Mecca’s Got Talent, we’ve seen some fantastic acts, however, Chanel shone just that bit brighter than the rest.”

The winner of Mecca’s Got Talent will receive a £5,000 cash prize and a year-long contract with leading entertainment agency, Stagepalm.