The 46-year-old triumphed on the first series of Channel 4’s Your Song
Chantel, 46 was victorious on the first ever series of Your Song. She was awarded the “Special Performance of the Evening”, which aired tonight on Channel 4. The new programme launched earlier this year from the makers of The Great British Bake Off and The Piano. Hosted by Alison Hammond, Your Song gives amateur singers the chance to perform on stage.
Following the success of The Piano, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, Your Song follows a similar format as participants perform a song that means something to them on a pop-up stage in various cities up and down the UK.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched some extraordinary vocalists take to the stage. The first episode aired in April which was broadcast from Liverpool. Sam Ryder, who shot to fame after representing the UK in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, joined BRIT Award-winning singer Paloma Faith as mentors on the series.
But there was one vocalist who left a mark on the judges, when 46-year-old Chantel took to the stage in Liverpool One and sang an incredible rendition of Gladys Knight and The Pips’ 1970s hit “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”.
Sam and Paloma were immediately impressed by her vocal skills, but it was the reason for her song choice which took them by surprise.
In a recent interview with the Liverpool ECHO, Chantel, who lives in the Knowledge Quarter, opened up on her health and how one operation completely changed her life.
Back in 2008, Chantel underwent a kidney transplant, which she described as the “best thing that happened” to her. She was told by doctors: “If you don’t get a transplant today, you’re going to die.”
Undergoing a kidney transplant meant Chantel’s life was forever changed. She said: “It was freeing beyond words”, as she could then have her “miracle” baby, daughter Rudy born in 2017.
When explaining the reason for her powerful song choice, Chantel told the ECHO in an exclusive interview: “When I’ve sang that song before it’s always brought me to tears because it means a lot to me.
“I know it was written about a romantic love, but I chose it because I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t get a kidney transplant, which is the best thing that has happened to me.
“It’s allowed me to do things like this, and I wouldn’t have been able to have my daughter Rudy if I hadn’t had that kidney transplant, so it’s like a double whammy.”
Chantel has always loved to sing, but it wasn’t until she turned 30 that she had the confidence to perform at open-mic nights in Liverpool.
When she saw the advert for Your Song, she thought she would give it a go. She said: “When I found out it was open mic and it was 10 minutes away from where I live, I thought ‘why not just go’.”
Chantel’s decision turned out to be life-changing for her, as she was selected as the singer of the day. Before she knew it, she was heading to London’s Hackney Empire to take part in the grand final.
The finale episode, which aired tonight on Channel 4, saw five extraordinary singers take to the stage for their final performance. Chantel was joined by Findlay, Milo, Mina and Elliot.
They were competing for the title of “Special Performance of the Evening”, decided by Sam and Paloma. The finale episode seemed to be a Scouse takeover as Elliot, 17, from Crosby was brought back onto the show as a wildcard entry.
Chantel was thrilled when she discovered a fellow Scouse contestant had made it into the final. It signals just how talented the people of Liverpool are, following in the footsteps of Bootle-born musician Brad Kella who won its sister-programme The Piano in 2024.
Chantel believes she has a special connection to both Elliot and Brad. All three performers have made their mark on British television, whether its their raw talent, down-to-earth nature, or Scouse charm, despite no professional training in their field.
She told the ECHO: “Elliot has got a beauty within him and I can see it. The common denominator between me, Elliot and Brad is that there’s a creative monster within the pain. All three of us have been through the care system. Brad is a normal lad from Bootle with an amazing talent.”
She added: “Everyone says Scousers are so funny. Yes we are funny but there’s also so much talent in Liverpool. There’s always been a bit of a grey cloud over the city, and everyone’s creativity helps us rise above it.”
It came as a complete surprise for Chantel when she was asked to return to the stage to be crowned the winner. Being on the stage was an incredible feeling in itself, as she told the ECHO: “It wasn’t about winning. Whether I won it or not, I knew I’d won something for myself because I’d stepped out my comfort zone and put myself out there.”
