It’s safe to say that Gloucester born singer Mary-Jess Leaverland has had an unorthodox rise to the top.

After choosing to study Music and Mandarin Chinese at university, she ended up studying in China, where her music career really took off.

She explained: “I never wanted to be anything else other than a singer, but my grandmother told me I needed more strings to my bow which was great advice, so I decided to study Chinese.”

“I was at a TV studio because one of my university classmates was on this crazy gameshow so my whole class went to support and laugh at him!

“We were being nosy and saw they were filming a singing competition, and I saw my opportunity. I asked a producer in my then quite limited Mandarin if I could enter and he said two words to me: “Ok. Sing."

“So I sang ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ on the spot in a crowded dressing room, and when I finished he said I could be on the show!”

But it wasn’t all glamour from here. Coupled with her studies, the singing competition took over Mary-Jess’ life.

She continued: “The show didn’t work like the X Factor over here does, where you have a week to rehearse and prepare for the weekend. I was on live TV every night for 3 weeks straight.

“I was also expected to continue my studies alongside performing on the show, so there was no time to learn new songs. It was very tiring and a complete whirlwind, but I enjoyed the experience. They told me I was performing in front of 70 million watching at home in the final show!”

For most people, having 70 million people watching you sing would be daunting enough. But even that pales into insignificance compared to what Mary-Jess says is her proudest performance.

“I sang ‘Abide With Me’ at the FA Cup Final in 2012. It was in front of 90,000 people at Wembley, and then around 300 million more watching on TV world-wide. Pretty nerve-racking!

“I performed there with The Band of Blues and Royals, who then invited me to perform at Windsor Castle in front of members of the Royal Family. That was a wonderful experience — I’ve never seen such big chandeliers!”

Mary-Jess has only just finished touring with the famous popera group G4, and already has more shows lined up.

She said: “I’m going on tour and on Saturday 8th December will be performing at St George’s Church in Gloucester. Normally I’d go to Gloucester Guildhall, but my Grandad asked if I’d go to the church as he lives just next door, and how could I say no?

“He’s always been one of my biggest supporters, and they’re so lovely at the church, providing cakes and mince pies and they’re so enthusiastic about music, it makes for a lovely atmosphere. I’ll be singing songs from Maria Callas to Gershwin, some timeless winter classics and of course some special requests from my Grandad!

“I’m also doing a ‘Christmas at the Musicals’ tour with Joanna Forest who is amazing. She was the first independent artist to achieve a UK Classical Number 1 hit with a debut album, and such an inspiration after beating breast cancer aged just 21 and going on to achieve her dreams.

“We’ll be singing everyones favourites from stage and screen, and our tour finale is at Lydney Town Hall.”

You can read more about the Christmas at the Musicals tour and our interview with Joanna Forest here.