A STROLL in the Homesense store on Lakeside Retail Park could prove to be the pathway to a career in pop music for a talented teenager.

Demi-Martine Madden, 14, from Aveley, had a go at singing when in the homeware store recently, only to be invited back to do it again and wow Sunday shoppers while raising money for Comic Relief.

From those two brief showcases, where Demi sang ten songs, she has been asked to sing at weddings, parties and even at a yacht club.

Last year while on holiday, she entered a singing competition and after making it through to the final, was invited back to compete in the grand final.

She won, beating competition from singers who had had success on TV talent shows Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor.

After recording a four-track CD at a studio in Upminster, the engineer told her he’d be surprised if Demi, who has a remarkably powerful voice for her age, was not gracing the charts one day.

“I really look up to Emeli Sande and Adele,” said Demi, who attends Gaynes School, in Upminster.

“Their voices are so distinct and they are very well known around the world. I mostly sing ballads and songs that are quite slow and meaningful, like Emeli Sande’s song Clown, but I’m having a go at writing my own stuff, too.

“It was really good performing in Homesense. “It’s nice to have good feedback and people have asked me to sing at weddings and parties.

“I’m definitely going to take them up on that.”

Once she has finished school, Demi hopes to go to performing arts college. She is currently doing work experience at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch.

At the moment though, she is entering competitions in a bid to make a name for herself. I’ve got an open mic coming up soon and a competition in London called Star Power.”

Demi has been invited to perform at Homesense again in the near future, where she hopes to sing some of her own songs.

She also has a CD which can be purchased through her dad Martin. All proceeds go to Comic Relief – e-mail martmadds@me.com