A WORCESTER singer who ditched X-Factor's "sob story" culture is shooting for stardom through Open Mic UK.

Barbourne-based Hannah McSherry made it through initial auditions last month and then Sunday’s regional final in Sutton Coldfield to bag a place in the national semi-final on November 16.

Qualifiers will then head to the O2 in London where the overall winner gets a music video for a single and a full album professionally produced as well as an extensive publicity package.

It sees the 22-year-old finally begin to realise a dream that included an attempt at Britain's Got Talent during her formative years.

“Open Mic is one of the biggest opportunities in the UK. I’ve just graduated and wanted to do a competition now I have a bit more time,” said Miss McSherry.

“I did Britain’s Got Talent when I was a teenager, I was only young so it wasn’t amazing. I wanted to do X-Factor for such a long time but now I feel like it seems a little bit fixed, everyone seems to have a sob story.

“I would love to pursue singing professionally and hopefully this competition will not only get me experience but also improve my confidence.

“There were a couple of competitions I did at university without too much success so I was a little bit worried about entering Open Mic because there is more fierce competition.

“To start with I was quite nervous but I think the knockbacks help to push you so you don’t get that feeling again and I am really looking forward to Manchester now.”

Hannah has been focusing on her career since graduating in languages and international business and would want the best of both worlds if her long-standing dream of a career on stage came to fruition.

“I am really passionate about languages and if they could go hand-in-hand that would be great,” she added.

“Singing has always been a passion I have wanted to pursue but I love languages too.”

Open Mic UK is a competition for singers and solo artists that attracts more than 10,000 acts per year from every genre.

You can check out Hannah’s singing online: https://soundcloud.com/hannah-mac-music