‘I cannot go shopping as people are taking pictures of me’

The 43-year-old mother-of-two - whose real name is Edith Thorley - was voted off by the public in the semi-final of the ITV show, despite winning rave reviews from the judges.

And the Columbian, who runs Hair X Press in Clemens Street and works there with her sisters, was not chosen for a wild card spot in the final.

But Edith is over the moon about her stint on a show that is viewed by millions. Speaking to the Courier this week, she said: “This was one of the best experiences of my life. I feel so special and famous.

“Everywhere I go people are waiting for me - it’s amazing how many people recognise me.

“I cannot go shopping - even in London - because people are always hanging over my shoulder and taking pictures. It’s brilliant.”

Edith was perhaps more memorable than other contestants this year because of the attention paid to her by the formidable Simon Cowell. She said: “Simon was really nice with me - he was absolutely brilliant. Everybody on the show treated me really well.

“The competition was very strong. I had never been thinking about winning money - I wanted to do well and entertain. So I feel good about that.”

And she says her husband Kevin and children Christopher, 20, and 17-year-old Natalie - who all travelled to London to watch her perform - are “very proud” of her.

So can we expect to see her singing again soon?

“Absolutely,” Edith said. “I am not sure what’s happening with the Britain’s Got Talent tour because of the Olympics, but we have signed a contract and are now waiting to hear about it.

“But I wish to show my real voice now. I wish to sing in my own language. My voice is completely different to what you hear on the show. I can sing better.

“I have so many sisters working with me at my hairdressers, so I need to ask them first before I make any plans for singing, but I do wish to carry on with it.

“This show has opened doors for me. It has been a learning curve. I never expected this would happen to me.

“I feel proud of myself because I was so scared about going on the show, but I did good.”