Widnes performer Rossi Walsh O’Neill to perform at Grand Talent Trail final

Jan 26 2012 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

GIFTED Widnes youngster Rossi Walsh-O’Neill will be among the performers at this year’s Grand Talent Trail final.

The search for a star has been trawling the region for the creme de la creme of performing talent, and on February 11 the 1,350-seat ACC Liverpool will host the finalists as they go head to head for a chance to scoop £3,000 in prize money.

The event has been organised by Thank Haven in support of wounded soldiers’ charity Help For Heroes, with last year’s event raising a massive £33,000.

Among the judges this year are BBC Radio Merseyside producer Steve Coleman, Peter Ross, a PR and events director for Yamaha music, and Tim Bankfield, manager of ACC Liverpool.

This year’s event will also honour soldier Peter Eustace, who was killed in action on November 17 last year, and organisers said they would particularly like to see members of the armed forces in the audience.

Last year’s winner Steph Woods has just begun work on her breakthrough debut album, featuring all original material co-written with Andy Ross of Astar Studios in Manchester.

This year organisers are promising a show of two halves.

The first showcases the final acts, while the second half is a tribute to the musicals.

Widnesian Rossi Walsh-O’Neill, 11, features in the musicals tribute section of the show.

She was a finalist in last year’s talent trail and has since become a member of the Thank Haven team.

Tickets are priced £12.50 and the show starts at 7pm.

For more information visit www.grandtalenttrail2012.org