Shropshire songwriter Heidi Browne clinches deal with contest win

Heidi Browne, 28, from Market Drayton, has beaten off more than 9,000 artist to be crowned overall champion of the Open Mic UK contest.

Miss Browne wowed judges and a crowd of hundreds of people at the NEC in Birmingham on Saturday by performing her own song called G.I.R.L.F.R.I.E.N.D.

Now the artist has been given a music management deal worth £5,000 with Future Music and plans to release her third album and tour Italy.

But it could have been very different for the up-and-coming star, who was planning to start her first "sensible job" in March.

Miss Browne said: "It feels amazing to have won this competition – everything seems to have turned around for me.

"This really has all come at just the right time. Just as I was about to give up, I've got all these songs and this was a last-ditch attempt to get some real recognition.I was just about to start my first sensible job but now I have won this it is life changing.

"For 10 years I have been writing and performing and I was thinking to myself 'I'm 28, it's not going to happen you have to get a real job'. I was all set to start one in March. Now I'm going to have to be free so I can concentrate on my music."

The competition searches for the UK's best singers, singer-songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who perform either covers or original material. Miss Browne was named the winner of the 21 and over category on the night of the final – and then found out via Twitter a few days later she had been named the overall competition winner.

She said her performance on the night couldn't have gone any better. She said: "I was obviously delighted to win the whole competition. Out of all the people that have taken part it is just amazing.

"There were some really original artists and I wouldn't have minded if I had lost to any of those. But it's really mad to think I've won it all, it's brilliant."

Miss Browne said: "I entered the competition for a bit of exposure. I never thought I'd be successful as a quirky singer/songwriter. Winning the competition has restored my faith in what I've been doing for so long and I've been overwhelmed by the support of my fans, friends and family."

Miss Browne will be performing in Market Drayton at the Festival Drayton Centre, in Frogmore Road, on March 11.

To listen to her songs or download her albums visit www.heidibrowne.co.uk