A TALENTED young teacher is a step closer to pop stardom after reaching the boot camp stages of hit-television show The X Factor.
Claire Palmer, 22, who works at The Acorns Primary School in Ellesmere Port, impressed celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole during her audition in Manchester last week.
She will now appear in the ITV show’s boot camp auditions which is televised later this year.
Claire, who has been teaching Year 3 and 4 children at the Acorns for 12 months, said: “This has taken me completely by surprise because I did not expect to get this far. I’ve always had a passion for singing but never thought that I could make a career out of it.
“My mum's always encouraged me to go for it and some of the teachers said the same.
“I got through three un-televised auditions before singing in front of the judges.
“I sang At Last by Etta James and then they asked me to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
“Their reaction was positive although Simon wants me to sing something more contemporary because of my age, which I’ll do next time.”
She added: “I got a great reaction from the children when I told them, which was brilliant. They have given me cards and posters wishing me luck.
“I sang a song in front of them all which was more nerve-racking than singing in front of the judges!”
Headteacher Amanda Powell said: “ The only downside is I might lose a great teacher!”
