Published: Wednesday, 1st October, 2008 12:30
Kirsty's still singing after X-Factor boot
By Jamie MacDonald
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Kirsty Docherty made it to boot camp before being sent home by the X-Factor judges.
Pic by: David Robertson
PROGRESSING from X-Factor’s boot camp proved to be a step too far for Glenochil Prison officer and singing sensation Kirsty Docherty.
The Clackmannanshire diva made it through to the final group of 70 from 182,000 entrants, in the ITV show which unearths singing talent, before being knocked out.
It was last minute heartache for Kirsty (24) on Saturday night’s programme after she was initially put through to the next round before a late change of mind from the show’s judges sent a group of contestants home.
Kirsty told the Advertiser, “It was shocking. I had got through and thought I could chill out a bit then Simon (Cowell) said he had a surprise for us.
“After we were told we were going home a lot of people were really upset but I was just trying to be positive as it was quite an achievement to go that far.”
She added, “The talent there is incredible and the 14 to 24 age group is the toughest group to be in. I will go back next year though and I’ll be in the older age group then where the competition isn’t so fierce.”
The week at boot camp was mainly spent watching fellow performers on stage and being interviewed by film crews. Kirsty sang Roberta Flack’s First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in her audition.
Kirsty said, “We were staying in the London Hilton so it was a little bit like being on the road and everybody was singing constantly – you would be woken up at 7am every day by someone singing Valerie by Amy Winehouse.
“It was a lot of waiting about for the week and it was quite stressful because it is a competition.”
She added, “I’m a lot more comfortable now in that sort of atmosphere.
“Before it was a big deal being on stage but now I have sang in front of Simon Cowell it’s not as intimidating.”
Everyone, from colleagues to inmates, at the prison has given Kirsty their backing and her new found fame has brought its benefits.
Kirsty said, “I’ve had nothing but support from everyone in prison.
“The 800 inmates have been so supportive – it’s been great.
“One benefit has been that I got a bank charge and I went in to my branch to ask about it. The teller asked for my autograph for her child and then agreed to give me a refund.”
If she had gone through to the next stage in the programme that launched the careers of Leona Lewis, Shayne Ward and Leon Jackson Kirsty would have gone abroad with an allotted mentor and spent a week working with them.
Instead, Kirsty will be returning to the stage on Thursday and Friday with Forefront Children’s Theatre - the Clackmannanshire based performing arts group who she has been involved with since she was 10-years-old.
Kirsty said, “I love Forefront, I still get asked to go along from time to time and perform and it is always a good time.”
Forefront’s sell-out fundraising cabaret also features returning favourites Lynsey Stalker and Gregor Scott, together with over 100 current Forefront students who will perform excerpts from Joseph, Let Me Entertain You, the Beach Boys and High School Musical.
Funds raised at the cabaret nights are used to help finance former Forefront members who go on to study at some of the top stage schools in the UK.
In the last 12 years, over £46,000 has been raised and disbursed to former members, and they hope to break the £50,000 mark with this year’s events.
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