by Mary Graham

mgraham@thekmgroup.co.uk

An 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Maidstone is the winner of a Kent talent contest after getting valuable backing from Mr Cowell.

The finals of the Gimme a Break talent show, supported by the KM Group, took place in Sittingbourne at the weekend and on the judging panel, was Simon Cowell’s older brother John.

Tom Cross, of Frinstead Walk, Allington, was crowned the winner. Tom has only just turned 18 and celebrated his birthday on the day of his semi-final competition performance.

His songs impressed the judges, which also included kmfm presenter Vanessa Elms. He performed a cover of the Beatles’ classic Let it Be which prompted Mr Cowell to declare the young singer had "made the song his own."

He also sang I’m Yours by Jason Mraz.

The West Kent College music student, who discovered a natural talent for singing just two years ago, opted for a professional marketing package of a website, show reel DVDs, a recording session and a term at a performing arts school, as his prize, worth a combined £2,000.

The inclusion of a Cowell on the judging line-up had a particular irony, as two years ago, Tom made it through the initial audition stages of the X Factor but left the competition just before the televised auditions.

He said: "I am just overwhelmed to have won and it truly has not sunk in yet. I was one of 12 acts and every person deserved to be there.

"I nearly couldn’t go through with the competition as I had a sore throat from performing a gig the night before. So I had to change my songs, but I persevered and it paid off."

Gimme a Break was devised by author Ross Friday, who lives in Rainham, and used to be a member of a band.

Realising how difficult it is for young performers to get an audience and exposure, he devised the talent show and called upon his contact, John Cowell, to judge the final line-up.

The talent show was also devised to benefit charity and all the money from every audience vote, which totalled £1,320 has been split between three charities.

They were the Oliver Fisher special baby care unit at Medway Maritime Hospital, who got £1,008, Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Kent Messenger's charity of 2009, who got £200 and £112 went to Cancer Research UK.

Hundreds of performers were auditioned, at the Avenue Theatre, Sittingbourne.