AN AMATEUR singer has beaten off competition from professionals to become BBC Radio 2 s Voice of Musical Theatre, securing a demo recording opportunity and winning £5,000. Aimie Atkinson, of Exchange Road, Stevenage, was one of five budding stars chosen f

AN AMATEUR singer has beaten off competition from professionals to become BBC Radio 2's Voice of Musical Theatre, securing a demo recording opportunity and winning £5,000.

Aimie Atkinson, of Exchange Road, Stevenage, was one of five budding stars chosen from 2,000 hopefuls to compete with 35 professional singers for the title.

She was the only amateur to get through to the final, hosted by radio presenter Ken Bruce at the New Theatre in Cardiff, where she competed with five professional singers, backed by a 30-piece orchestra.

Aimie, 19, said: "The judges didn't know who was professional and who was an amateur.

"I didn't really get nervous. I got really excited instead.

"I just wanted to go out there and show them what I could do.

"The evening was so, so exciting. I had such a great time and I'm thrilled to bits because musical theatre is what I want to do.

"I've met so many wonderful voice coaches along the way and had the best opportunities. It's been such an amazing experience."

Each performer sang three songs in front of an audience and a panel of six judges, including Michael Ball and Elaine Paige.

Michael Ball said: "In the winner, the lovely Aimie Atkinson, I really think that we witnessed the birth of a new star".

Angela Wallis, executive producer of BBC New Talent, said: "For a 19-year-old girl with no professional experience to win this calibre of competition outright proves what an exceptional and exciting star Aimie Atkinson is."

Aimie, who attended Stevenage's Collenswood School, used to be a member of the town's Fusion Performing Arts Company and has had many roles in amateur productions, including Cinderella at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Maria in West Side Story and Cathy in Whistle Down the Wind.

Aimie has recently signed with an agent and has auditioned for a part in the national tour of High Society.