Gallery: Leon Bratt takes Star Search competition by storm

An unsigned singer has won a national talent competition after being badgered to enter by his granddad.
Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.
Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.

Leon Bratt, from Maulden, stormed to success in the Mecca Bingo Star Search contest to find the latest singing sensation.

The 21-year-old singer/guitarist performed an acoustic Bob Marley medley to lift the title against seven other finalists, who were all female.

He said: “The whole day was pretty hectic, rehearsing and waiting for the evening’s performance, so when they called out my name I was completely overwhelmed. All the other acts were brilliant so it came as a huge surprise.

Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.
Leon Bratt from Luton in Mecca singing competition.

He added: “My grandparents, Peter and Brenda, play bingo in Luton about three times a week, and they always said I should enter since before I was 18.

“This is the first time Mecca has run the competition since I have been old enough to enter. I took part to make them happy, and I ended up winning!”

Leon, who works as a body piercer in Luton, won £5,000 prize money at the star-studded final, which was held in Blackpool on Saturday (June 6).

He hopes to invest the cash in his music career, booking studio time and making videos to put online - and putting on a performance for his supporters.

He said: “Thanks to Mecca, the competition has given me a fantastic starting platform and the money will be hugely helpful in funding my ongoing career.”

X Factor star Stacey Solomon, congratulated Leon on his win after wowed the judging panel, which included Linda Nolan.

Follow Leon’s music career on Twitter @leonbratt and www.soundcloud.com/leonbrattmusic

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