SINGER Leanne Mitchell spoke of her joy this week after winning a place in the live section of the hit BBC talent show, The Voice.

The 28-year-old from Oulton Broad secured her place when Sir Tom Jones declared her the victor in a head-to-head battle against glamorous grandmother Barbara Bryceland last weekend.

She will now have to perform live in front of nine million viewers this Saturday night to determine whether she will make it to the next stage of the competition.

Leanne, who is also a voice coach at a theatre company based at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton, told The Journal: 'It is absolutely mad. As I said before, it feels like it isn't happening to you.

'The preparations are good for the Saturday show. I have been on the stage for the first time. It is massive and amazing.

'I had my first rehearsal and have been practising using the monitors for the live shows, which is really different from what I have been used to so far.

'All this week we have been doing rehearsals, interviews, and wardrobe fittings. I have to admit I am not taking it all in.

'I am just trying to keep calm and think the live shows are just the same as the pre-recorded ones.'

Leanne was still a pupil at Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft when she started performing at Potters at the age of 15.

Since then she has risen through the ranks, taking the stage at its annual shows and providing a guiding hand to aspiring singers.

But until her appearance on The Voice, she had all but given up on her dream of becoming a full-time singer after failing to secure the recording deal she longed for.

If she goes on to win The Voice, the top prize is a deal with the US record company Universal.

Speaking about the ongoing support from her loved ones, she said: 'My family and friends are all really pleased that I got through to the live shows and are looking forward to sitting in the audience and watching me on Saturday.'

Leanne secured her place on the show earlier this month by convincing Sir Tom – who is one of four judges – to pick her for his team.

Gorleston mum Toni Warne has also made it through to the live shows of the competition.

The Voice live show is on BBC1 on Saturday at 7pm with the results show broadcast on Sunday from 7.25pm.