'Fantastic' David Barton wins Star Search 2012 with piano masterclass

IT WAS probably one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of their life.

And after battling it out at a heat, a semi-final and last night's final, the winner of the Mail's Star Search competition was named.

David Barton performed in front of a crowd of more than 700 people, pipping 11 other acts to the post.

David, 24, of north Hull, who played keyboards to Jools Holland's Skin The Cat and his own song Dreamland.

David performed in the last heat of Star Search 2012 at the Lair in Anlaby Road.

The pianist and blues singer gave a professional and polished performance.

He has already had a taste of the limelight, having being given the opportunity to play alongside Jamie Cullum at the Royal Albert Hall.

David's dream of becoming a star is just beginning – as he will now be treated to a top-class photoshoot, recording time with Element Studio, a trophy and £1,000.

Hull City Hall was packed with supporters, friends, family and the general public, who were all eager to see the 12 finalists perform.

Second place went to Compass, who sang Pride and Voice and Emotion – both original songs – and walk off with £500.

Third place went to Calum Scott, who sang John Legend's Ordinary People and his original song Girl (You're Beautiful) and takes away £250.

The Mail's assistant editor Jamie Macaskill said the three performers were deserving winners.

He said: "David performed some fantastic original material. He got the crowd going and showed some fantastic talent.

"Compass were also unique in their own right, and Calum is a star in the making."

In the first half, the audience heard James Millar, who opened the show with two of his own songs Open Surgery and Jack James; Valvekasta, who performed their own songs Money and Drink Goes Down; Danielle Laud, who sang Run by Leona Lewis and Rihanna's We Found Love; Calum Scott; Rhiannon Winters, who sang her own song Hurt and Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out For A Hero, and David Barton.

The second half saw The Costellos, who sang Dakota by Stereophonics and REM's The One That I Love; Lee Kamen, who performed Nessun Dorma and Sognu, the French Eurovision entry; Compass; Katie Parsons, who performed Black Heart by Stooshe and Beyonce's Listen; Sam Arkut, who sang Clouds by Newton Faulkner and his own song Sitting by the River; and finally Kieran Kaye, who performed Michael Buble's Cry Me A River and his own song Catch The Sun.

There were also performances from LWHS dance school, young singers Emily Drewry and Mia Codd, girl quartet Tres Belle and our compere Dave Norman.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Dove House Hospice's Love You 2 Appeal.

Mr Macaskill said: "The Mail has been holding a talent contest for more than 14 years, raising more than £70,000 for local charities along the way.

"The competition has also been about unearthing great talent and over the years, we've been able to give hundreds of singers the chance to perform.

"This year, we've gone one better – we haven't just given the contest a new name, it has a new focus and a new goal to find and encourage not only the best singers but also the best musicians, songwriters and bands."

He went on to say that the judges decision was an incredibly difficult one.

He said: "It perhaps would have been easier to choose a winner if the acts were all singing the same genre of music.

"But the final had everything – there was an opera singer, a rock band, female power songs, pop songs, indie songs and everything in between.

"There was such a variety at the final, there was definitely something for everyone.

"These 12 finalists have set the bar for next year's competition."

• More Star Search 2012 Grand Final videos and pictures