FLOCK STAR
Beeb talent show singer’s a shepherdess by day
A JUDGE on the BBC’s new prime time talent show got ready for the big time – by singing to sheep.
Sophie Armstrong sits with former Spice Girl Geri Horner as one of the panel of singing judges on All Together Now.
But the Daily Star Sunday can reveal she is a shepherdess who learned songs for the series by practising while out in the fields looking after her flock.
The mum-of-two, 46, regularly performs in pubs and clubs and was told to apply for the Beeb’s new show by a pal.
To pass the audition she had to learn more than 100 hits so she would be ready to join in with whatever tune contestants might choose to perform.
Sophie said: “It’s a heck of a job to learn the lyrics to 100 tunes and be able to sing them all pitch perfectly. So I did what I always do when I’m rehearsing for a show – I went out in the fields and sang to my sheep.
“I think my sheep like my voice. They baa back at me a fair bit. And at least if I fluff the odd line or two they aren’t like my husband – they don’t complain.”
Each week, whoever gets most of the 100-strong panel of singers to join in with them goes through to the final with a chance to win £50,000.
Sophie, who once sang for former Prime Minister David Cameron, has been building up an army of fans over the past seven years with her band Summerland. But she was stunned to land a slot on the panel of All Together Now, hosted by comedian Rob Beckett.
The rest of the panel all make their living in the music industry and include cruise ship performers, West End show and opera singers, Gospel choir leaders and a drag queen.
Sophie, of Wooler in Northumberland, said: “I still can’t quite believe it. They said they were asking for people with loud voices and strong opinions, which my husband Tom will tell you sort of fits with me.”
She said of the audition: “I’ve never been so terrified in my life. I had to sing three songs and afterwards had a
90-minute interview. They wanted to know all about my life on the farm on top of what sort of music I was into.”
And of appearing on the show she said: “When you spend your life going out at night after a hard day on the farm to ply your trade as a singer it can be tough.
“So it was a real thrill to be up there with so many other wonderful voices. And
Geri was really friendly too.”
All Together Now is at
7.15pm on
BBC One on Saturday.