Newcastle has a brand new singing superstar, after Fred Chyke blew everyone away to win Cosy Joe's karaoke competition on Thursday night.
If there's one place in town that's synonomous with belting out a tune or two, it's Cosy Joes, with the Groat Market open seven nights a week for Geordies and visitors to the city, to channel their inner Meatloaf or Tina Turner, or get their fellow revellers going with a bit of Sweet Caroline, 500 Miles or Summer of 69.
Those brave enough can get behind the mic in front of a bar full of drinkers, or those slightly more shy about their singing talents can carry a tune in the more secretive surroundings of a private pod. But on Thursday evening, there was no time for the 18 singers competing to have any nerves, as they stepped into the spotlight on the stage in the main bar, with a big money cash prize in the sights
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The three judges were treated to an eclectic mix of songs from a talent bunch of singers of all ages. The repertoire for the final included everything from I'll Never Love Again for A Star is Born to George Ezra's Blame it On Me, via a bit of Something Inside So Strong and Left Outside Alone.
But there was one act who meant business from the second he stepped onto the stage and that was eventual champion Fred, who had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand with a superb rendition of Purple Rain. His fantastic performance (which you can watch in the video above) earned him £500, with Paige Shiel finishing in second, thanks to her pitch perfect take on Lady Gaga and Kirsty, after her powerful Anastacia cover, finishing third.
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