Claire Jordan
Dave Lee

AS TALENT Trail 2008 kicked off, the judges were faced with a difficult decision.

Six high-quality acts at the Cherokee Club in Askew Avenue, west Hull, caused a close call over who should go through to the next round.
After judging, there were just three points between the first and third-placed acts.
But only two of the artists taking part could go through to the semi-finals, taking them a step closer to the grand final at Hull City Hall.
The winner of the first heat was 19-year-old receptionist Claire Jordan, of Willerby, who dressed to impress and wowed the audience and judges with her performances of Cry Me A River and Get Here before rounding off her set with an upbeat rendition of Get Happy.
The judges awarded her 28 out of a possible 30 points. She said: “I can’t believe I’ve got through. I’m glad I took part and that my family and friends came along. I’ve never done anything like this before. My dad put the entry form on my bed and I thought I would do it.”

Dave Lee, 23, a painter and decorator from north Hull, also made it through to the next round with 27 points after singing Drift Away, Walking In Memphis and Joe Longthorne favourite Don’t Cry Out Loud.
He said: “I’m hoping to go as far as I can. “All my friends have entered before and I thought I’d give it a bash. It’s my first time as a solo artist, but I was part of the duo Fate. We got knocked out in the semi-finals.”
Craig Golding, 19, was one point off making it into the semi-finals after he scored 26. He was hoping to do better after coming third in his heat last year.
The other performers Amanda Wright, 25, and Tony “The Soul” Leadley, 33 and former club compere “Peter BS”, aka Pete Shally, 59 all put in great performances.
Judge Kim Key said: “It was a very close call. I enjoyed all the acts. Everybody who took part deserved to have a place in the next round, but that can’t happen.”
The next heat of the Mail’s Talent Trail competition will be held tonight at the Belmont Club in New Bridge Road, east Hull, with acts taking to the stage from 8.30pm.

Craig Golding
Amanda Wright
Tony Leadley
Pete Shally

<<back

THE Mail will be covering every heat, and every semi-final right up to the grand final at the City Hall.
Reporters will attend every round to see the best and the rest of Hull’s would-be entertainers and report on their progress.
Coverage of every heat will appear in the Mail the next day, letting people know who could not make it along themselves, who gave the best performances on the night.