A COUPLE from Fenland have spoken proudly about the success of their cousin, the new choir singing sensation, Isabel Suckling.

Celia and Ian Skidmore of Elwyn Court, March, were ecstatic when the York Minster became the youngest solo classical artist in history to sign a deal with a major record company.

Her album, The Choirgirl, will be released on November 22 and is produced by Decca, the classical arm of Universal. It’s been tipped to top Classic FM’s Christmas chart.

Mrs Skidmore said: “One of the hardest things has been keeping it a secret until now.

“It all started early in the year when Universal sent talent scouts round cathedrals and churches all over the country to find a girl chorister who could make an album.

“I wish her grandparents were alive to hear her it. Sadly they died within a year of each other and never knew Isabel would be a chorister.”

The singing sensation’s first single, Michael Jackson’s You Are Not Alone, is expected to be in the running for Christmas Number One.

Her mentor, Aled Jones, who shot to fame nearly half a century ago, also shares links with the March couple. He worked with author and broadcaster Mr Skidmore on his popular Radio Wales programme Radio Brynsiencyn.

Mr Skidmore said: “His dad rang me and asked if he could come on the programme to learn about interviewing.

“He joined as our cub reporter and, like everything else he did, he was first class.

“I first heard him sing in my kitchen and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Since then, no singer has produced that sensation until Isabel. They share a gift from God.”

Isabel has another connection with East Anglia. Her father’s family, the Suckling’s, came from Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk.