A WOMAN from Melksham is through to the televised auditions of X-Factor despite facing a serious illness.
Mary Wookey, 46, has been told by doctors she has a terminal illness that affects her organs but the diagnosis has strengthened her determination to continue expressing her vocal talent. She is now through to the fifth round where she will perform in front of the X-Factor judges in Birmingham on Thursday 27th June.
Her audition is to be televised and shown on ITV later on in the year. To reach this stage Mary has had to perform in front of producers and an individual judge, but now, she will get the opportunity to perform in front of the main judges which in previous years has included celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole.
Mary said, “I just can’t believe how far I have come. I only went originally to support my daughter who had entered and thought I would give it a go for a bit of fun.
“I really didn’t expect to get the phone call to say I was going to sing in front of Simon Cowell and the judges, I was in shock – I still am!
“If I’m honest, I don’t really like him but it will be an amazing experience and I will try my best to be polite.
“My friends and family have been really supportive, they have all said they aren’t surprised and they expected it, but I never thought like that.
“The early rounds were fairly easy but now it’s getting serious. It started as fun, but now I really want to win!
“The judges and producers know about my illness and they are happy for me to continue. I won’t let it stop me doing my best, I won’t allow it.”
Mary has got to this stage by singing a selection of Britney Spears songs, including ‘Not Yet a Woman’, ‘Everytime’ and ‘Toxic’. However, she is unable to disclose her choice of song for her audition later this month.
If successful, Mary will go through to the bootcamp stage of the show.
