A FORMER Yeovil schoolgirl got a taste of the big-time on Sunday, leading a choir to a place on a TV talent show.

The Bridgwater College Show Choir narrowly missed out on getting through to the finals of Channel 5's Don't Stop Believing.

The choir, led by former Yeovil College and The Park School student Kat Stevens, had beaten 4,000 other applicants to star on the show, but were voted off after their performance on August 1 got mixed reviews from judges.

Ms Stevens, 29, who now lives in Taunton, said she was incredibly proud of her singers for their energetic rendition of Fascination originally sung by pop band Alphabeat.

The show is presented by former Spice Girl Emma Bunton and judged by singer Anastacia, EastEnders actress turned theatre star Tamzin Outhwaite, former Blue band member Duncan James, and Chucky Klapow who choreographed High School Musical.

Ms Stevens, who was watching from backstage, said: "We were at the studios in Maidstone since Thursday, rehearsing and sorting out our choreography, so there's a lot of build up before the show on Sunday night.

"The backstage crew were fantastic – the choir went into hair and makeup at about 8am on Sunday, so the team were touching it up all day right up to the show at 8pm. They work so hard.

"Of course we were disappointed not to be successful, but we had such a good time.

"I personally learnt a lot from the vocal coaches and choreographers, so it was definitely a positive experience.

"As they were leaving the stage Emma Bunton whispered that she thought the performance was amazing, so we took a lot of comfort in that.

"I'm not quite sure what the show is looking for – one minute the judges are saying there's not enough choreography, then they say there's too much, but we had a great time and it's something special we can all put on our CVs."

The choir will be returning to the stage to take part in the National Festival for Youth Music Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in November.