Air cadet has 'Stars in her Eyes'
10 Aug 06
Lancashire air cadet Rebecca Woods has stars in her eyes after winning a military talent contest and earning a slot on the bill for a big military concert.
Corporal Rebecca Woods, 967 Squadron Air Training Corps
[Picture: Kevin Hegarty]
Rebecca, from Kirkham, Lancashire, is the winner of 'Military Pop Hero', an X Factor-style search to find the best performer from among the ranks of the thousands of military personnel based in the North West.
Rebecca, 17, a Corporal in Warton-based 967 Squadron Air Training Corps, was one of three finalists in the contest. Her prize is to appear on stage at 'Soapstars On Parade', at Southport Theatre, on Saturday 2 September 2006. She will appear alongside Coronation Street’s singing sensations Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland and Debra Stephenson, who plays Frankie Baldwin.
Soapstars On Parade is part of the Southport Air Show and Military Display. It is organised by the Army’s 42 (North West) Brigade, raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and includes performances by the Band of The King’s Division, the Weeton-based Army band.
Fitting for an air cadet, Rebecca sang R Kelly’s 'I Believe I Can Fly', impressing the judging panel at the final. However, Rebecca admits to being just a little nervous before her big performance:
"I was really nervous when I got in front of the microphone so I am pleased to win. I will now have to go shopping for an outfit for the show in Southport next month!"
In fact, this is not the first time Rebecca has taken part in this type of singing contest:
"Earlier this year, I auditioned for X Factor," she explained. "I went to Manchester for the preliminary rounds and was disappointed not to get through. I've also done other local shows as well and played Maria in a Sound of Music production."
The judging panel of 42 Brigade’s Military Pop Hero Contest (left to right): WO1 Kim Taylor (Brigade Regimental Sergeant Major), Captain Lenny Hardman (156 (North West) Transport Regiment) and Captain Richard Watterson (Director of Music, The Band of the King’s Division)
[Picture: Kevin Hegarty]
Rebecca also had to withstand some friendly Simon Cowell-esque comments from one of the judges. Warrant Officer One Kim Taylor, 42 (North West) Brigade’s Regimental Sergeant Major, joked she should "Fly away off my parade then." But Rebecca took his friendly banter in her stride and in retaliation described his comments as "Quite Cheesy!"
After leaving his Simon Cowell hat behind, WO1 Kim Taylor, added:
"We were very impressed with the standard of entries. Well done to Rebecca who will now sing at our concert on 2nd September alongside the Coronation Street stars. I look forward to seeing her perform then."
Rebecca, an A-Level student at Carr Hill Sixth Form, is studying maths, physics, English literature and drama. As an air cadet she has now completed 16 hours of flying and hopes to go solo very soon. Rebecca has ambitions to be a commercial pilot.