Natalie Wellings

Honeytrap -
Sami Atkinson (Top) and Zara Thrustle

FROM pole dancing to singing before hundreds of people, Natalie Wellings proved she has stage presence.
The pole dancing tutor, who used to perform in gentlemen’s clubs in the city, stormed through to the semi-finals of Talent Trail at the 15th heat.
She was also joined by runners-up Honeytrap, made up of Zara Thrustle and Sami Atkinson.
Natalie’s three sultry numbers, including Over The Rainbow by Eva Cassidy, impressed the crowd of about 200 at the New Walton Club in west Hull.
Natalie, 20, who entered the competition for the first time, said: “I didn’t expect to get through, especially seeing the talent that was in this round.
“My friends persuaded me to go for it – they told me ‘You don’t know how good you are’.
“To actually get through is like ‘Wow!’
“I would love to be in the final at City Hall. It is just a brilliant place to be – it would be amazing.”
Veteran Talent Trail performers Honeytrap, who have made it through to the final in previous years both as soloists and as the duo, gave a polished performance.
Dressed in black, they took to the stage to sing Sound Of The Underground by Girls Aloud, Open Arms by Journey and Umbrella by Rihanna.
Zara, 26, of west Hull, said:
“We are very pleased. It feels
great to be back in Talent Trail once again. It is nice to be back together as Honeytrap after a year off.
“We will really raise our game now.”

Sami, 23, of north Hull, vowed to give the competition her all despite being 23 weeks’ pregnant.
Sami said: “It feels really good, compared to it last year when we didn’t make through the first round.
“Even though I’m pregnant, it doesn’t mean it has to stop there.”
Also competing was Cherie Lawrence, 31, of Beverley, who sang folk and country numbers.
Fashion student Kelly-Marie Waller, 20, of Hessle, impressed
the judges with her powerful and confident performance.
And 17-year-old Tasha Blackburn, of west Hull, who friends call “the little girl with a big voice”,
belted out her three songs with a confident performance.
Singer and songwriter Maria Iaconiello, 71, raised laughs with her routine of songs and jokes.
The X-factor reject, who stunned judges in the TV talent competition, had the crowd cheering with her flip-chart renditions.
Newly-formed duo Journey Up North travelled across Britain with their medley of songs.
Dressed in shorts and suspenders, Phil Kirkham and Chris Wharram had the crowd roaring with laughter at their comic act.
Teacher Dave Kelly, 36, rounded off the night with three swing numbers.
Mr Kelly, who was performing for the first time in the Reel Cinemas-sponsored competition, said: “I’ve been playing the tracks in the classroom and they know all the words.
“I was shocked when my friends entered me – but I’m always up for doing things like this.”

Cherie Lawrence


Kelly-Marie Walker


Tasha Blackburn


Maria Iaconiello


Phil Kirkham and Chris Wharram


Dave Kelly

>>back