Breeze has Talent 2019 winner set to light up Leeds this Christmas

17 year-old Sophie Littlejohns has been crowned winner of this year’s Breeze has Talent competition at an event showcasing Leeds’ most talented young performers.

The final of this year’s competition was hosted by radio presenter and former Leeds United FC player, Sanchez Payne, at Northern Ballet’s Stanley and Audrey Burton theatre on Sunday.

Now in its twelfth year, Breeze has Talent has given almost 1,000 children and young people in Leeds the chance to shine and, for many winners, a stepping stone to greater things. Leeds City Council’s Breeze team, organiser of the annual competition, is regularly contacted by national TV talent shows which is testimony to the quality of the young talent coming through and the profile Leeds is building through the work of a range of local organisations dedicated to supporting young performers who live in the city.

Sunday’s final was the culmination of Breeze has Talent 2019, which started in June with auditions at the White Rose Centre, followed by heats at the Big Breeze fest at Temple Newsam.

Judges Henna Angus from, Paramount Music, Isaac Heywood from Rock School, Sheila Howarth from West Indian Carnival Committee, and Amy Smith from DAZL, had the very hard task of choosing the winner.

Sophie Littlejohns impressed the judges by singing her own composition, ‘I wanna know’. She will go on to perform at the Leeds Lights Switch On which takes place on Thursday 7 November on Victoria Gardens in the city centre. All of the finalists will perform at local Christmas lights switch on events across the city.

Following her win, Sophie said:

“I feel really honoured to have won Breeze has Talent with an original song. It was made extra special because this will be the last year I am able to compete.

“The effort that was put into the event, including the fantastic boot camps, was amazing. It is a fantastic event that keeps growing, and I hope it continues to.

“The Breeze team has been so encouraging and supportive, and I would like to thank them all.”

Councillor Salma Arif, deputy executive member for children and families, said: “I was blown away by the talent at this year’s Breeze has Talent final. Well done to all the young people who performed, and congratulations of course to Sophie on winning the competition. Her performance was stunning, and the fact she wrote the song herself is so impressive.

“It’s great that so many young people living in Leeds take part in the competition every year. We see lots of extremely talented young performers return, even more determined and even more brilliant. Their energy and dedication is truly inspiring.”

Breeze has Talent forms part of Leeds City Council’s annual Breeze summer programme. Breeze provides a range of positive opportunities for children and young people aged 0—19 and their families living in Leeds. For more information go to https://breezeleeds.org/