THE principal of a performing arts academy in Warrington where Britain's Got Talent hopeful Beau Dermott honed her musical talents has described the 12-year-old as an inspiration to many.
Jo Edwards, from StagePro Academy in the town centre, was one of the few to know Beau was set to audition for the ITV talent show but said she was still blown away when she made her debut on the TV screen on Saturday night.
She said: "Beau started coming to us when she was seven and I knew straight away she had something special.
"She is such a shy person and I told her not to worry and just be herself - everyone will love her for who she is.
"She used to always hold her hands when she was singing - it's a sign that she is nervous.
"You could see her holding her hands at the start of the performance but when she started singing she let go you could see her get into the zone.
"It was incredible to watch."
Beau Dermott, former Warrington's Got Talent winner, performed Defying Gravity, the signature song from the hit musical Wicked and is straight through to the live finals after judge Amanda Holden pressed the golden buzzer.
She received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.
The 12-year-old, who performed at the Warrington Guardian's Inspiration Awards in 2014, is due to perform a duet with tenor Russell Watson at Preston Guild Hall in May as her dream of becoming a professional singer inches ever closer.
As well as winning Warrington's talent show she also came first in Halton’s Got Talent in July and came fifth out of 9,000 in the national final of Teenstar, a nationwide singing competition in the same week.
While Jo always knew Beau was destined to pave a career in the music industry, she believes the family are very humble about her talents.
She added: "They are just a lovely, down-to-earth family with an extremely talented daughter.
"The family are just blown away with the reaction and really appreciate it.
"She will be an inspiration to many of our children.
"We have so many talented children in Warrington and she is proof that your dreams can come true."
Beau, who lives in Widnes, now studies at The Hammond performing arts school in Chester.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here