As Britain’s Got Talent gets ready to hit the screens once again, Sydnie Christmas put on a performance worthy of a winner on the banks of the River Tyne.

The singer, 29, took to the stage at the Glasshouse in Gateshead on Wednesday night, describing the venue as “stunning”. She had revealed prior to the show that she was hoping her tour could help pay back the support of all those who voted for her on the ITV talent show last year. And that was something she certainly did – and more.

She took the crowd on a gripping and sometimes emotional journey of her life throughout the two-hour session. As she showcased a number of flawless cover ballads, from Whitney Houston to Frank Sinatra, she candidly shared details of her own dramatic – and sometimes tough – rise to fame.

“I’m a story teller,” she had told me as she got ready to meet her fans before the gig. “It’s just weird telling my own story. I’m not acting as anything. I’m just simply being myself, which I’ve actually found the most scariest thing yet, but it’s been amazing.”

It was that authenticity that continued to move the audience throughout the night, showing her vibrant personality that had helped her win the hearts of the nation. Of course, her immensely powerful vocals also helped!

She kicked off the show with an energetic version of Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend. It was clear from the first note that the north east crowd was in for a real treat. As she broke up the music with stories from her childhood, Sydnie was able to effortlessly mix sentiment and sarcasm before continuing to let her story unfold through her music. You could hear a pin drop as she moved on to perform a jaw-dropping cover of Tomorrow, just as she had done when she was handed the BGT Golden Buzzer.

And the treats kept coming as she belted out a Lauryn Hill medley that she dedicated to a long-time friend. However, it wasn’t just Sydnie who stole the show on the night. She welcomed special guests to the stage to make their own dreams come true. Local singers from the SA Performing Arts Centre choir joined her to showcase their own talents.

Their impressive tones fitted perfectly into Sydnie’s rendition of John Farnham’s You’re The Voice, with the star and her backing singers looking to be in their element throughout.

As the night progressed, Sydnie answered questions from the crowd – and also tried out her best “Wey Aye Man”, much to the delight of the crowd.

She continued to deliver tune after tune, before there was one last chance for the choir to rejoin her for a classic medley of tunes. Sydnie ended the pulsating performance with yet another note-perfect performance, this time in the shape of My Way before leaving the stage to a standing ovation.