ASPIRING Annie Sheppard will still be a star in the eyes of all her friends despite not winning the hit television show Stars in Their Eyes.
Her supporters crammed into her local pub, The Golden Cross, Saunderton, to cheer her on as she told presenter Matthew Kelly, "Tonight I will be Judith Durham", the Sixties singer with the Seekers.
But despite her best efforts, Mrs Sheppard lost out to winner Dusty Springfield, alias Emma Wilkinson.
While Mrs Sheppard and her husband Dave waited in the wings until it was her turn, the crowd of well-wishers at the pub were as nervous as she was.
Gathered around a television in a specially set up marquee, they turned the sound down while the other contestants were on but pumped up the volume when it came to Mrs Sheppard's rendition of the classic song, Georgy Girl.
Steve Robinson, who helped organise the event at the pub, said: "I thought she did very well. She has done all that can be asked of her."
The pub even had a sign outside, saying 'Vote for Judith Durham', to try to win as much support as possible, and mobile phones were buzzing as soon as the vote lines came on.
"She is a lovely lady. She's done really well in our eyes," said landlord Mark Malin.
Mrs Sheppard will be using her experience on the show to pursue a singing career as she has recently been made redundant from her job as an administrator.
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