A WALTHAMSTOW teenager narrowly missed out on winning a national singing competition this weekend.

Katie Louise Gittins, 13, sang Whitney Houston’s classic Run To You at the O2 Shepherds Bush on Sunday. She was singing in the UK Unsigned competition to find new up-and-coming talent across the country and came third out of five in her category.

The youngster from Browning Close, said: “I went into the competition and got beaten. But I am pleased I got as far as I did. I did my best and I feel good about it. Mum was there to support me, and my grandad was there even though he has had heart failure. I had a lot of fun.”

Her mum Sandra Gittins, said: “The competition went very well. The category was 13 to 20-year-olds and Katie was the youngest. She shone up there. She was fantastic. But it was very hard.

“She was given a certificate and a development contract to look after her. I am absolutely amazed by how she did. She is only 13 and she was competing against girls who have been singing for years. She had done really well to get that far. She was quite happy to just get up there and sing.

“She was singing in front of 500 people. That is quite a big audience for someone her age. Loads of people came up to her at the end and said well done. Katie is still determined to sing. Not winning has not put her off it. She just likes to perform.“ John Downie, director of UK Unsigned, said: “All the girls were of a high standard. It was very close in the final. Katie needs to believe in herself a little bit more. She doesn’t realise how good she is. She is not trying to belt the songs out she almost speaks the songs like she is reading a book and they come out naturally.”

The teenager said she used singing as a way to overcome bullying when she was growing up. She first started singing as a way to help build her confidence. She received counselling sessions two years ago and then met a singing teacher Linda Bebe who encouraged her talent.

Katie has been awarded a talent development contract. The competition bosses will be working with Katie to make a demo and get her working with producers. She will also be getting some vocal training over the next two years until she is 15 and decides if she wants to continue.