'I felt amazing – the atmosphere was unbelievable'

SU Annagib discovered mum and dad were right all along when she won Stoke's Top Talent.

Su, who teaches media studies at Stoke-on-Trent College, was stunned when host Jonathan Wilkes announced she had won the talent contest at The Regent theatre on Saturday night.

But it was just what her parents Abdullah, aged 72, and Samiha, aged 56, had predicted when they first pushed her to sing in public aged just six.

Su, now aged 28, said: "My parents always wanted me to sing. I first performed when I was six in class.

"This year, when I entered the competition, I knew I was ready to perform. The competition is the first time I have sung in front of an audience since I left school.

"I feel great – over the moon. When I was waiting, I just wanted to get over my nerves. Once I got on stage I just wanted to sing. I felt amazing. The atmosphere was unbelievable."

Su – who was first persuaded to enter the contest by her students – brought the house down with her rendition of Think Twice, a massive hit for Celine Dion.

The former Staffordshire University student won a three-month contract to star in this year's Regent theatre pantomime Dick Whittington, alongside Jonathan Wilkes, and a £1,000 cash prize from show sponsors The Sentinel.

Su, lives in Bradeley with her partner of nine years, Lytton Page, aged 30.

Su's father Abdullah, who lives in Birmingham with his wife Samiha, said: "I'm very proud. I've got a feeling she will be number one.

"She will be remembered forever in this city."

Samiha added: "I'm very happy and very proud."

Su's partner Lytton said: "I was very nervous for her. I was filming her, but my hand was shaking."

Show compere Jonathan Wilkes said: "Su has such natural ability. When she first walked into the audition, all the judges liked her. She has the most infectious smile."