Published: October 10, 2008
Brean talent show winner is through to finals of ITV's X-Factor

A singer who won a talent show in Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, last year has made it through to the final stages of ITV1's talent show The X Factor.

Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last month how Marisa Billitteri, pictured, was taking part in the talent show.

Last year, she wowed judges at Brean Leisure Park with her voice when she was crowned the winner of a regional 'Search For A Star 2007' competition.

Since then, she has formed the group 'Girlband' with three other singers and is taking part in ITV1's primetime talent series.

The girls won the approval of the show's judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, and popstars Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue, and will now be taking part in the live episodes of the hit TV show, which begin on Saturday (October 11th).

Marisa said this week: "I'm really overwhelmed. We all are. It's amazing. It has been a really long journey and we are really excited about being here."

In the bands category, Girlband will be up against boyband JLS and girl group Bad Lashes.

Pictured is Marisa above in action at Brean Leisure Park in October 2007