Cassidie's winning after singing

Teenager Cassidie Hannigan certainly made a big impact when she sang in a talent contest on Fleetwood seafront.
Entrants in the Beside the Seaside talent competition at Fleetwood.Entrants in the Beside the Seaside talent competition at Fleetwood.
Entrants in the Beside the Seaside talent competition at Fleetwood.

Cassidie, 16, beat 22 other contestants in the event staged by the Beside the Seaside traders group, formed by businesses next to the ferry terminus on The Esplanade.

Cassidie, who had never entered a talent competition before, says her singing has helped her overcome the crippling shyness and anxiety which plagued her when she was younger.

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But she has put all that behind her and wowed the judges with renditions of Cara Emerald’s “That Man” and jazz standard “At Last”, sung in the style of jazz legend Etta James.

Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.
Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.

Cassidie, who lives in Hambleton but spends nearly all her spare time at Fleetwood, said: “I’ve always loved singing but I didn’t expect to win. When they called my name I was actually speechless! I felt a bit nervous when I stood there in front of everyone, but once I got going I really enjoyed it. It was brilliant to win and I hope to do more singing in public in the future. Singing has helped me so much, it has given me lots more confidence.”

And proud mum Lisa, 35, said: “The standard was high that I wasn’t sure Cassidie would win. It was incredible.

“I hope her story helps other people who have low confidence.”

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Cassidie, who attends Millfield College of Science and Performing Arts in Thornton, bagged the impressive first prize of £150, paid for by the traders’ group.

Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.
Talent show winner Cassidie Hannigan (left) with Fleetwood's Joe Boe, one of the judges.

Lisa added: “Cassidie spent a few years taking singing lessons with Jill Maxwell Carr in Fleetwood, and she also helps out as a volunteer at the Gym Mania gymnastics club off Copse Road.

Her brother Sam also plays for the current Fleetwood Gym Under 10s, so Fleetwood’s like a second home.”

The talent competition and accompanying fun weekend was organised with the aim of increasing footfall and customer numbers in that part of town, which is cut off from Fleetwood’s main shopping centre.

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It proved so successful that the traders are planning another event on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30.

Lee Preston-Stefani, one of the organisers, said: “The event was even more successful than we hoped for.It was a win-win for everyone.”

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