Help us reach final of TV talent show

In tune . . . Daniel Wood, Wendy Brierley (centre) and Charlotte Brierley

Musicians from Hollinwood school in plea to viewers

THREE musicians from New Bridge School in Hollinwood will be hoping to clinch a place in the finals of a major new TV series on Sunday.

Daniel Wood, the school’s community development manager, is the founder of the Manchester Show Choir.

And maths teacher Wendy Brierley and her daughter Charlotte, a student and school volunteer worker, are also singers.

They will be appearing on TV channel five on Sunday, fronted by former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, hoping to attract enough votes to get to the final of “Don’t Stop Believing.”

The music and dance talent show was inspired by the musical comedy drama “Glee”, from America’s Fox TV, and has groups of performers competing against each other for viewers’ votes.

The show is the biggest on the channel since it was launched 10 years ago, and judges include actress Tamsin Outhwaite and singers Duncan James and Anastasia.

The Manchester Show Choir raises money for the Christie Hospital, Manchester, and was founded nine months ago by Daniel (25), from Salford.

He said: “The show goes out at 7pm and we need as many people to watch and vote for us as possible.

“I’ve been a singer and then produced theatre shows since I was 17. I wanted to start a community choir open to anyone, singing pop songs, and not as regimented as some choirs, and it has really just taken off.

“We raise money for the Christie, where my grandfather was treated for four years, and so far we’ve raised £15,000.

“The choir’s unique. Anyone can come, there are no auditions and we have around 120 members.”

The choir is guaranteed more TV appearances even after the competition is over, as it is taking part in four episodes of “Coronation Street”, part of the current storyline.

It will be back in the Street this summer for a high-profile soap wedding, rumoured to be Hayley and Roy from the cafe.

Daniel said: “We’re not allowed to say who it will be, but there has been a lot of speculation.

“We’ve also been in a Bernard Matthews TV advert and appeared at the Trafford Centre, the Lowry and Palace Theatre.”

“I think why we have caught on is because it is a real community choir.

“We have a laugh, there is no pressure and we represent every walk of life.

“They have all got day jobs and they have energy and excitement which comes across in their performance.”