Record company interested in choir

8:15am Saturday 12th July 2008

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SINGING ladies from Basingstoke who wowed judges to make it to the next round of a new prime-time reality television programme have been approached by a major record company.

The BBC's new Saturday night talent show, Last Choir Standing, pits choirs from across the country against each other in a battle to find the nation's favourite choir.

Viewers only managed to catch a few glimpses of the Basingstoke Ladies Choir in last week's show, which pulled in an impressive 4.6 million viewers.

The ladies managed to make it through to the next round and hope to be featured more in tonight's show.

The group, which rehearses on Monday nights at Carnival Hall, in Council Road, Basingstoke, was selected from about 1,000 entrants to appear on the show and, after making the 60-strong shortlist, are now in the final 30.

And that could be just the beginning after Universal Records, the world's biggest record label, which features artists such as Amy Winehouse, contacted the ladies to say it is interested in keeping track of their progress.

Choir secretary Margaret Allen, of Roman Road, Basingstoke, said: "It was such a thrill when the judges told us we had made it through to the next round that we all started screaming and jumping up and down."

She added: "As for the contact from Universal, it's very flattering.

"However, I don't think Amy Winehouse would fit in - perhaps one of their other artists, such as Katherine Jenkins."

Tom Lewis, an A&R manager for the classics and jazz division of Universal Music, confirmed he had been in contact with the choir.