A single mum and singer-songwriter from Leeds is bidding for glory in a national talent competition after getting through to its final stages.
Natasha Lee, 26, from Bramley, is in the regional finals of Open Mic UK.
And next month, at Dewsbury Town Hall, she is hoping to impress judges again and win a spot in the national final.
Natasha, who has two children, Kavyon, four, and Vincent, two, was inspired to sing by her musician dad Stephen.
But her earliest musical memories came from an unlikely source, former Leeds United footballer Vinnie Jones.
Natasha said: “I have grown up around musicians all my life, as my dad ran a recording studio from our house, called Studio 2.
“We had bands at our house throughout my life, recording downstairs in the cellar.
“I was lucky enough as a small child to witness Vinnie Jones recording his chart track at our house. He was playing for Leeds at the time. He wasn’t a very good singer but he had decided he wanted to have a go.”
Natasha said her father was her biggest inspiration but had never quite got his own big break.
“I kind of feel like I want to do it for him,” she said.
And speaking of her own musical passion, Natasha added: “I have always loved singing.
“I took up singing for a living as soon as I left school, and sang professionally for many years.
“I am trying to fulfil my dreams of becoming a full-time professional singer, so I can give my children the future they deserve.
“My life at the moment is hard, and seems to always be a fighting battle, I hope that Open Mic UK can change that for me and my family.”
For tickets to the regional final in Dewsbury on October 13, visit: www.openmicuk.co.uk
The grand final will be at London’s O2 Arena.
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