Rachel closes in on her dream

STARDOM beckons: Rachel Leah Stock is through to the regional finals

DREAMS of singing stardom are a step closer for one Saddleworth wannabe.

Rachel Leah Stock (19), from Uppermill, blew away the judges during the first round of the Open Mic UK auditions, a competition the bubbly teenager calls “X Factor without the TV”.

A former Oldham Theatre Workshop pupil, Rachel is now a step closer to the final to be held at the O2 Arena in London with a recording contract the top prize.

She’s channelling her love for musical theatre as she prepares for a show-stopping performance at the regional finals with “Easy Terms” from the hit show “Blood Brothers”.

She said: “I said this year I would push myself to do scary and exciting things as much as possible.

“I’m so thrilled to be through to the next round.”

The rising star has already seen off competition from thousands of others who entered and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her Broadway idol Idina Menzel, star of “Wicked”, “Rent” and “Glee”.

The young star-in-the-making is now living with her sister in Newcastle but is aiming for a place in drama school next year to achieve her dream of being a stage sensation.

She will take to the stage in the Open Mic Uk regional in Dewsbury on October 16.