Leon Bratt

An unsigned singer has won a national talent competition after being badgered to enter by his granddad.

Leon Bratt, from Maulden, stormed to success in the Mecca Bingo Star Search contest to find the latest singing sensation.

The 21-year-old singer/guitarist performed an acoustic Bob Marley medley to lift the title against seven other finalists, who were all female.

He said: “The whole day was pretty hectic, rehearsing and waiting for the evening’s performance, so when they called out my name I was completely overwhelmed. All the other acts were brilliant so it came as a huge surprise.

He added: “My grandparents, Peter and Brenda, play bingo in Luton about three times a week, and they always said I should enter since before I was 18.

“This is the first time Mecca has run the competition since I have been old enough to enter. I took part to make them happy, and I ended up winning!”

Leon, who works as a body piercer in Luton, won £5,000 prize money at the star-studded final, which was held in Blackpool on Saturday (June 6).

He hopes to invest the cash in his music career, booking studio time and making videos to put online - and putting on a performance for his supporters.

He said: “Thanks to Mecca, the competition has given me a fantastic starting platform and the money will be hugely helpful in funding my ongoing career.”

X Factor star Stacey Solomon, congratulated Leon on his win after wowed the judging panel, which included Linda Nolan. - Bedford Today

One lucky Luton lad has made it through to the star-studded national finals of Mecca’s Star Search competition to find the nation’s new singing sensation.

Leon Bratt will perform live on Saturday, June 6, at Mecca Blackpool in front of a judging panel that includes Anna Cryer, from the Blackpool Gazette and celebrity Linda Nolan, with the event hosted by X Factor star Stacey Solomon.


Leon, 19, a professional body piercer from Luton, will be aiming to win the national final after beating the competition in Southend-on-Sea, where he performed an acoustic rendition of Valerie by The Zutons.


The judging panel will rank each contestant on their singing talent, how entertaining their performances are and also their star potential.

The winning contestant will get the ultimate star treatment, jetting off to Los Angeles on a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Hollywood, with accommodation in a top Beverley Hills Hotel and spending money thrown in.

Mecca club manager for Southend, Barry Lyons, said: “We’re extremely excited that Leon has made it through to the national finals. Who knew there was so much hidden talent out there?

“Leon has really set the bar, so expectations are high for his final performance this Saturday!

“The panel of judges are certainly going to have a difficult job when it comes to choosing the overall winner.”


Leon said: “It was an amazing feeling getting through to the national finals of the competition but now the pressure is on!

“Singing is my passion, so to win would be a dream come true and hopefully put me one step closer to becoming a professional singer.” - Luton Today