Six talented kids from London’s East End have proved they’re “the real deal” when it comes to singing—getting through to the glitzy grand finals of a glee club challenge.
The Real Deal Glee Club from Bethnal Green won a place in tonight’s Petchey Foundation’s Glee Club challenge finals after topping the east London regional heat in Barking last month.
It follows intensive training when all the regional finalists attended boot camp workshops with a professional singing coach and choreographer helping their stage performance to sparkle.
The Real Deal club, which rehearses at Bethnal Green’s Oxford House community centre, came together in 2011 to compete in BBC TV’s Sport Relief Does Glee Club 2012, which it won.
Its members, two boys and six girls aged 11 to 17, come from the Young & Talented School of Stage & Screen set up in 2004 by artistic director Suzann McLean.
“This is our first time in the Glee Club Challenge,” she said. “We go into the final with high hopes after winning the regional heat.
“Boot Camp was brilliant and gave them a chance to work on their skills and not get complacent.”
They now have a chance to win a share of £5,000 in prizes in tonight’s grand final at the Indigo O2 Arena, up against eight other regional winners.
Graham Norton heads the judges who also include actress Tamzin Outhwaite, XFactor finalist Brenda Edwards and actor-performer John Partridge who plays Christian in TV’s EastEnders.
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