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from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail Thursday, April 17

Three was the magic number in the third semi-final of Talent Trail 2008.

Singer Russ X was the clear winner in the contest, held at the Cherokee Club, Askew Avenue, west Hull.

And the judges couldn’t separate guitarist Stuart Steels and pianist Kizzy Bateman, who were equal second place on points.

It meant the trio will all get a chance to perform in the final at Hull City Hall on Thursday, May 1.

Russ, 32, of east Hull, treated the sell-out crowd to renditions of Sugar Baby Love by The Rubettes, Apologise by Timbaland and Nessun Domar, as sung by Luciano Pavarotti.

The variety in his set proved popular and he scored a brilliant 48 out of a possible 50 marks.

Russ said: “I’m very shocked by it. I thought if I was to go through, it would be by that scale, to be honest.

“I don’t feel I was 100 per cent, far from it, so if they are the type of scores I get on a not brilliant night, then hopefully I can buck it up a little bit, get a bit more confident and it will show in the final.

“I was really nervous. Some of the musicians were absolutely fantastic, so it was very nerve-wracking. I’m really pleased.”

Kizzy Bateman wowed the judges with her singing and skills on the piano.

Her set included one of her own songs, World Of Sadness, which she wrote when her mum suggested emigrating to Canada, a move Kizzy did not want to make.

As she explained to the audience, the song did the trick and her mum decided not to go.

Kizzy, 17, of Anlaby, said: “I’m not very confident about my own songs and that’s the first time I have ever brought that song to the public. It got very good results.

“It has given me a confidence boost and I feel if I can do this in the final, when I’m up against all these great people, I can do anything.”

Stuart Steels, of Anlaby Park, also played a song of his own composition, called Sail On.

He sang and played the guitar on Faith by George Michael and American Pie, written by Don McLean.

The 18-year-old said: “I couldn’t believe it, to be honest.

“I thought I had a one in 10 chance of getting through to the finals because everyone was that good.

“I’m going to start working on my songs and, hopefully, I should be well prepared for the final.”

“I have got something up my sleeve for the final. I have been thinking ahead. I maybe shouldn’t have as I could have jinxed myself, but thankfully I didn’t.”

A total of 10 acts competed for a place in the final.

All were singers who had successfully won in previous heats.

They included Natalie Wellings, 20, of Willerby, Jaden Brooks, 25, of Endike Lane, west Hull, Trevor James, 52, of Beverley Road, city centre, Jazzy B, 26, of Holderness Road, east Hull, Natalie Fernie, 23, of Holderness Road, Andy Unwin, 28 and Claire Jordan, 19, of Willerby.

Each performed a variety of songs including Half The World Away by Oasis, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself by Dusty Springfield and Nine To Five by Dolly Parton.

The fourth and last remaining semi-final takes place tonight at the Walton Street Club in Walton Street, west Hull.

Tickets for the final are on sale now. To book, call Hull City Hall booking office in Victoria Square on (01482) 226655.

Talent Trail www.talenttrail.co.uk

The Mail www.thisishull.co.uk