The 17-year old singer from Tarring experienced her first five minutes of fame on Sunday, November 1, when the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of The Year was broadcast.

Click on the green play button to hear her singing Jerusalem.

"Jacs", of Priory Close, said: "It was a bit surreal hearing myself and you always sound different. I would not even have recognised that was me.

"My singing does not sound anything like it does in my head."

The singer scooped the prestigious title during the final at St Paul's Cathedral, hosted by singer Aled Jones.

After the final was aired, Jacs was inundated with calls of congratulations.

"I got lots of phone calls. Three minutes after it finished, the phone didn't stop ringing," she said. "I got really embarrassed."

The competition is in its 24th year and there are currently talks as to whether Jacs will sing in a Songs of Praise special.

The student is busy juggling her first year of college work at Steyning Grammar Sixth Form with her singing lessons and new-found commitments.

Singing teacher Jackie Harben said she was "very proud" of her star pupil and said she thoroughly deserved to win.

"The last two weeks she was with me every single day. If you want to be proficient you have got to live, breathe and sleep it."


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