TV Star Knocked Out By Thamesmead Talent

"The potential to go all the way" was the ringing endorsement for the winner of the T Factor; the biggest and best talent show Thamesmead has ever seen.

Praise was heaped on rapper Byron Parara by the judging panel, which included ITV's X Factor star Tabby, although tribute was also paid to the other 75 acts which lined up to perform in front of a packed house at Woolwich Polytechnic on Saturday (4 March).

They were all competing for the prize of a 15 minute slot supporting the headline act on the main stage at Trust Thamesmead's Summer Festival on 15 July and whilst Byron, of Federation Road, will have that honour - four other fantastic acts, all from Thamesmead, were considered worthy of time on the main stage too. Five-piece band The Illusions, dance group Myztikal and solo singer Danielle Staras will each have a 10 minute slot with a judges' special award of a main stage spot going to young girl singers Abisola and Kansola Ogunledun and Morayo Omoniyi.

But the wealth of Thamesmead talent doesn't end there as 15 acts will also have the opportunity to show what they can do by performing on the community stage at the festival, which is taking place in Birchmere Park, Thamesmead.

The chair of the Trust's board of trustees, Jackie Smith, said she was "overwhelmed by the level of talent and professionalism on display" and that "the sheer quality, energy and enthusiasm shown by all the performers were a joy to see."

"This may be the first time we have organised an event of this kind but it certainly won't be the last," she said. "We want to do this every year from now on."

Byron (21) grew up in Thamesmead and Brixton and now lives with his wife and two children in Abbey Wood. He is a professional rap singer performing his own positive hip hop material in venues as far afield as Manchester and Brighton. He told us that he's very, very happy to have won and that he's looking forward to performing at the festival in July.

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