SINGING stars wowed the audience at the semi-finals of the Oak Factor in a pub event styled on the X-factor talent television programme, writes Andrew Cheng. Around 50 pub-goers at the Royal Oak, in Harlesden, were treated to a variety of songs from Dame

SINGING stars wowed the audience at the semi-finals of the Oak Factor in a pub event styled on the X-factor talent television programme, writes Andrew Cheng.

Around 50 pub-goers at the Royal Oak, in Harlesden, were treated to a variety of songs from Dame Shirley Bassey's Never Never Never to Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

Jack Kirby, 21, from Enfield, sang the Disney classic A Whole New World.

Beaming with enthusiasm, he said: "I've always loved singing and performing since I was little. I love to sing and make people happy.

"I got a job singing in a West London bar, we have cabaret there, and my dream is to perform."

He said that if he won part of the �1,500 in prizes he'd love to share some of the money with his brother, who has three kids.

He said: "I'd love to show them a good time and make their lives easier. The rest, I guess, I'll save."

Angelita Dawmunt, 43, from Wimbledon, put her own stamp on Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & the Papas and sang with a lilting voice and a controlled vibrato that worked well for the song.

She said: "Singing is something I've always wanted to do. I entered a talent competition at 19 and it's always in the back of my mind.

"I've been taking singing lessons and if I win part of the �1,500 I'll give part of it to Great Ormand Street Hospital and spend the rest on singing lessons." In attendance to support the event was Kortni Turner, 18, from Muswell Hill, who did not sing - she qualified the finals the previous weeks.

She said: "At the final, I'll be singing my own material and some covers. I want to go professional, I've been writing my own material and recording songs.

"I've been singing since I was seven. It's a life long thing and something I've always wanted to do.

"If I win part of the �1,500, I'll probably spend it towards my future like putting the money towards time in the recording studio."

Twelve contestants sing at the final on July 23 at the Royal Oak, including last year's winner Lydia White.