Gillingham singer to appear on Saturday night's ITV revamped version of Stars In Their Eyes, Starstruck hosted by Olly Murs
Published: 13:40, 25 February 2022
Updated: 13:42, 25 February 2022
A Kent performer will be taking to the stage this weekend but not as you may have seen her before.
Singer Holly Bannis will appear on Saturday night's episode of ITV's Starstruck – a revamped version of the 90s classic Stars In Their Eyes.
Holly Bannis performing at an event
And the 31-year-old will be following in the footsteps of her dad – former Hot Chocolate frontman Greg Bannis – as he took part in Stars In Their Eyes several years ago.
She said: "It was an incredible experience. I applied for the show after my friend suggested it to me. I have applied for loads and loads before but never got on.
"It was really surreal. I have actually performed for these five massive names, it was just amazing in itself.
"They know their stuff. It was a really different judging panel than on other shows.
"It is just a really fun and positive show. One that you can watch, sit back and have a laugh."
The show, hosted by Olly Murs, sees four teams of three transformed into their musical icons and battle it out for a place in the final.
The trios perform one song together before judges Sheridan Smith, Jason Manford, Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert choose one group to perform again.
The contestants then sing alone and compete against one another for a spot in the final where they can win £50,000.
Holly said that she auditioned as three or four different pop icons and said a lot of vocal training and work goes on behind the scenes to making the contestants sound and look like their chosen star.
Last week saw Cher, Michael Bublé, Alicia Keys and George Michael impersonators take the stage but viewers will have to wait until the episode airs tomorrow to find out who Holly will be embodying.
Holly, of Portland Road, Gillingham, added: "My dad did Stars In Their Eyes so it is kind of following in his footsteps. He went on to have a really successful career.
"I look up to my dad and now I am experiencing the same opportunities he did."
Her dad Greg Bannis went on to become the lead singer of funk band Hot Chocolate after it reformed in 1992, touring with them from 1992 until 2010 after his stint on the singing competition.
You can watch Holly on Saturday, February 26 episode of Starstruck on ITV at 8.30pm.
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Alex Langridge