A female student from a Chesterfield-based secondary academy has won the CBBC talent show ‘Got What It Takes?’.

Georgie Mills, 14, won the competition after an incredible performance at the final of the hit CBBC show at Media City in Salford. The teen singing sensation wowed the judges with renditions of ‘Higher Love’ by Whitney and Kygo and ‘Say Something’ by Christina Aguilera, the latter moving the judges and audience to tears.

As reward for winning the national competition, the Outwood Academy Newbold student will now perform at BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend this May, in Dundee. Georgie will share the same stage as global megastars Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Camila Cabello, Calvin Harris and Biffy Clyro.

Year 9 student Georgie, who lives in Newbold Village, said: “I am so excited to be performing at Radio One’s Big Weekend. There are some incredible musicians playing there and to be performing on the same stage as them is just out of this world. 

“I was really happy to just be selected to take part in ‘Got What It Takes?’ but to win it has really put me in dreamland. I still don’t quite believe it. It’s just amazing and I am so happy.”

Georgie’s performances throughout the show saw her praised by the judges on the show, who in a twist are the parents, or family members, of the acts. During the series, Georgie also won the sing-off once. 

Following the show’s semi-final, a public vote was held with the top three acts going through to the final, filmed at the BBC at Media City. 

Jo and Andy Mills, Georgie’s parents, said: “We are so thankful to all those who voted and have supported Georgie. We are just unbelievably proud of her and what she has achieved. She is always singing at home, no matter what she is doing, and it is incredible to see her doing so well at something she loves.”

Georgie added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who have voted for me and helped me. Throughout the show, at school and around the community, it has been absolutely amazing to see people supporting me. 

“I have loved singing and performing for as long as I can remember and I am thankful to my family, friends and teachers for their support in helping me pursue my dream.”

Georgie’s musical talents are already well-known at Outwood Academy Newbold, and in the local community, where she regularly performs as part of the academy’s productions, and will soon play the role of Sandy in Grease.

The talented youngster has also won multiple regional prizes, including being the winner of Peak FM Homegrown Award and the 2018 winner of Chesterfield’s Got Talent, Eckington’s Got Talent, Dronfield’s Got Talent and Trades Got Talent.

This year her success has continued with Georgie coming third in the final of TeenStar at the O2 in London, being nominated for Best Young Breakthrough Artist at the National Entertainment Awards, and being awarded the Razzmataz Scholarship.

In partnership with The Stage newspaper, Razzmataz Theatre Schools offer a number of scholarships for those who attend a Razzmataz school and those who don’t. The scholarship helps present amazing opportunities to those who are granted one, while also boosting the performer’s confidence.

Steve Roberts, Principal at Outwood Academy Newbold, said:

“We are so proud of Georgie and her fantastic achievements. She is an absolute delight to teach, a real committed student.

“We have been fortunate to see Georgie perform many times at Outwood and she truly is a wonderful singer with such a powerful and big voice. It is wonderful to see her lose herself in her performance and she has a mesmerising ability to connect with the audience.

“At Outwood we believe in putting students first, and ensuring they receive the support they need to fulfil their potential, both inside and outside the classroom. That is why we will be doing all we can to support Georgie in Dundee and beyond!”