John Copley

Temptation

DOVES would have been cooing instead of crying after hearing John Copley sing at the latest heat of Talent Trail 2008.
The 21-year-old wowed the crowd at the Cherokee Club in west Hull with his version of When Doves Cry by Prince.
The guitarist, of South Ella Way, Kirk Ella, scooped top spot to win a place in the semi-finals.
John, who works as a waiter, also played Elvis Ain’t Dead by Scouting For Girls and Coconut Skins by Damien Rice.
He said: “I managed to get through to the semi-finals last year, but didn’t get any further. I decided to come back and have another go and it’s going really well. I’m very happy. I take songs that are current and make them a little bit different, which seems to have worked.”
Joining him in the semi-finals is Temptation, comprising Rachel Hammerman, of Endike Lane, west Hull, and Jenna Roberts, of Sutton Park, east Hull.
The duo, who have not sung together for seven years, sang Tell Him by Celine Dion, Abba’s Lay All Your Love On Me and gospel song His Eye On The Sparrow.
Rachel, 22, said: “It is a great achievement for us, because everyone was so good. Any of the acts could have gone through.”

Serena T, 28, of Bridlington was first to the stage and sang Madonna’s version of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton and I Am What I Am by Gloria Gaynor.
Beaty Brown, 65, a nurse who lives in Victoria Avenue, west Hull, belted out What’s Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra’s My Way and It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls.
Cheryl Turner travelled two hours from Lincolnshire to deliver great versions of Beautiful by Christina Aguilera, Maybe by Emma Bunton and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.
Bus driver Ellis Leavesly donned full Las Vegas attire for his tribute to Elvis Presley.
The 46-year-old, of east Hull, sang CC Rider, Suspicious Minds and In The Ghetto.
Victoria Gertsen, 24, who is originally from the Ukraine, but now lives in Lincolnshire, sang jazz classic Cry Me A River, Naughty Girl by Beyoncé and How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes.
Rounding off the night’s entertainment was Kayleigh Watson, 20, of Hull Road, Anlaby.
Kayleigh belted out Falling by Alicia Keys, Lucy Silva’s What You’re Made Of and Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler.

Serena T

Beaty Brown

Cheryl Turner

Ellis Leavesly

Victoria Gertsen

Kayleigh Watson


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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.