February 13, 2001 10:20: A PROFESSIONAL singer from Petts Wood hit all the right notes when she appeared on a popular TV quiz show.

Carla Fletcher, 21, was a contestant on Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music, with her friend Michael Macarthy, also 21.

The duo went through a series of gruelling auditions after they responded to an advert in The Stage magazine looking for participants for the show, which was screened on February 9.

Talent spotters from the top-rated ITV show instantly recognised the 21-year-old's star potential when she took centre stage at the show's auditions in the Whitglift Centre, in Croydon.

Carla, from Crofton Lane, Orpington, is the singer in a professional group called Star, which is signed to the CBS Group. Star has recently played at the Dorchester Hotel and the Caf Royal.

Despite appearances on stage in front of hundreds, Carla admitted to a few nerves when she went on TV and met one of her heroes.

"I have always admired him, and when I met him I thought Oh my God. He is so charming and good looking'.

"I was very nervous but it was a good kind of nerves. I just wanted to show everyone at home what I could do," the young singer said.

But the camp compere star of Strike It Lucky and My Kind of People made her feel "awight". "He could make a joke out of anything. He made me feel so at home."

Her proud mum, Teri, spoke of how the show's presenter calmed her daughter's nerves.

"Michael Barrymore was amazing. He was an absolute professional. He looked after the contestants brilliantly and made them all feel so relaxed.

"Carla and Michael had worked hard to get on the show, and he made sure they had a fantastic time."

Claudine Beaumont