A TEENAGER from Romford who hopes to become an international pop star took a step closer to realising her dream during an X Factor style audition.

Sophie O’Brien, 16, stepped in front of the camera on Saturday (November 6) to take part in a national talent competition against hundreds of others.

The youngster belted out her own version of Shakin’ Stevens’ number one hit single, Merry Christmas Everyone.

Sophie, from Sedgefield Crescent, in Harold Hill, travelled into central London for the audition for the chance of winning the prize.

If her recording wins she will join Capital FM presenters Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon on stage in front of thousands of people at London’s O2 Arena next month for the Jingle Bell Ball.

She will introduce her video at the concert, which will feature acts including Kylie Minogue, Black Eyed Peas and JLS.

A team from Microsoft Windows 7, which is sponsoring the ball, was on hand to record Sophie at The Urdang Academy, in Shoreditch.

She said: “I’ve always loved singing and I think if I were to win this competition it would be great for helping me become a pop star.

“I felt really confident going in and just sung as well as I could, I think it went well.

“It would mean the world to me to appear on stage at the O2 alongside celebrities, it would make me feel like a famous person.

“I’ve been rejected in auditions before but I have to keep going in spite of that, I believe that if you want something bad enough then anything is possible.

“At the time tickets for the Jingle Bell Ball went on sale I tried to get hold of some but it was impossible because it sold out so quickly and this would be a good way of seeing the acts.

“I just want people to hear my music and hear my voice. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.”

Paul Davies, Microsoft director of marketing communications consumer and online said: “The UK is and always has been a hot bed of amazing creative music talent.

“Our goal is always to give as many people as possible easy access to simple tools to make new things possible.

“That’s why we’re excited to give everyone the chance to make a professional music video that could be shown at this year’s Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball.”