Havering’s last contestant in TV singing competition The Voice UK called for support to help her gain a place on the contest’s live show.

Lydia Lucy, 22, from Collier Row, has convinced the juries until now she deserved her place in the BBC talent show but the competition is getting tougher in the second round of the knockout stage and only three of the eight contestants will be staying on.

“The experience has been amazing and I just don’t want it to end,” Lydia told the Recorder.

The knockouts is an important stage in the contest as it gives the successful singers a ticket for the live shows.

“The knockout is literally the life-changing stage,” she said.

“Being able to perform live on national TV is a massive achievement for me. That is my thing and what I am good at.

“I just feel I would be able to achieve my dream if I am able to go through to the live show.”

Lydia could not reveal which song she has picked to sing on Sunday’s show but told the Recorder she has put “an urban twist” on a song.

She said she was proud to be part of will.i.am’s team and does not want to disappoint him.

“I am really excited for Sunday, and I hope I can do the whole of Essex proud.

“I just hope that I have everyone’s support and that I can just be myself,” she added.

Lydia started singing when she was six and was inspired from a young age by Michael Jackson.

She attended Parklands Junior School and Marshalls Park School in Romford before going to the performing arts school Sylvia Young, in central London, until she was 18.

Since leaving school, Lydia has been recording music and singing at gigs and charity events – performing at 80 charity events last year alone.

“I want to succeed in music and be able to release my own music and to collaborate with different people such as will.i.am would be an absolute dream for me.

“The show and the whole team behind the scenes are absolutely amazing and I cannot thank them enough,” she said.

The second stage of the knockouts will be broadcasted on BBC One on Sunday from 7.45pm.