Goring girl's X-Factor disappointment

Caroline Pitches, 22, from Goring Road, put her self-esteem on the line when she travelled to auditions at the Wembley Conference Centre to join around 9,000 hopefuls on Monday.

But it was not to be for the young part-time carer for the elderly, who was disappointed to not even be put before notorious celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.

"When you go in you sit in a holding area" said Caroline, "You don't even see Simon and the others. But they don't tell you that until you get there. Everybody felt robbed.

"You sing in front of these people who just say yes or no and are really grumpy.

"But I can understand it. They've got to deal with thousands."

Caroline was not put through to face the formidable trio as big-day nerves let her down. But she was sent away with some positive comments.

She said: "I worked myself up over the day. You could hear the shaking in my voice. I screwed it up for myself by getting worked up.

"But they did say I was one of the better candidates and I should try again next year."

After a previous article in the Herald, Caroline received some welcome offers of help to hopefully take her through.

These included a relaxing facial from Goring's Cloud Nine health and beauty salon and a singing masterclass by Pop Vocal UK singing teachers - and European Pop Idol veterans - Rachel and Alexx Diepold.

The top teachers described Caroline as naturally talented with a voice to be reckoned with.

Caroline has now set her sights on next year and has promised to spend the next twelve months building her vocal power and confidence.

She said: "I am a little bit disappointed but not that much. I'm proud of myself for going through with it and I really appreciate all the help I received."