Beau, the girl with the million pound voice
dued tone indicates been a struggle.
“When I was first diagnosed we could not tell Beau. We did not want a sob story. Britain’s Got Talent was always about Beau’s singing not about me.
“We told her after a couple of weeks. It has been tough for all of us. I had no idea what people go through with cancer. Beau has had to be brave and so have I. Life isn’t a bed of roses. It might seem like everything’s great but there’s always another side to a story.” that it has Despite their excitement about Beau’s record deal, Ian is keen to stress that she is not the product of pushy parents and that it’s not a decision taken lightly.
“It is a tricky one because she is 13 and still a child but the problem is – and I am not just saying this as a proud parent – you can’t hold back the talent and leave it till she is 16 or 18,” he admits.
“When people hear her sing they are mesmerised and they want to hear more. Plus, how often do opportunities like this come along? It has not been overnight. We have thought about it carefully. Decca have made us all feel at ease. They want her to rise gently rather than shoot up in the air. They have got her best interests at heart.”
The family have also stayed in touch with Amanda Holden who invited them to this year’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals in Manchester as her guests.
“We chatted with Simon, Amanda, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams and they were really encouraging, especially Simon who told me that he hopes it goes well,” says Beau.
As well as the album she confides that she has recorded “something secret” for television and will host a concert at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall on October 12 to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
In the meantime those young feet will be kept firmly on the ground by a combination of summer holiday dog walks and a regular performance she puts on for a group of elderly ladies locally, all something she describes as “more terrifying than singing for the Queen”.
“All these ladies are sitting there on the couch with their handbags and I have to sing a capella and it is petrifying but also lovely,” Beau says. “Everything I am doing now is good fun. I never thought people would enjoy my singing or that I would ever make an album at 13 years old. I am so grateful.” Beau Dermott, Brave, is released on September 1.