A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has become a global web phenomenon after her dad secretly filmed her singing in her bedroom.

Chantelle Readman had no idea dad Paul had crept upstairs with a camera as she played on her keyboard and sang Michael Jackson's Gone Too Soon.

Proud Paul posted the clip on YouTube, mainly to show friends and family.

Incredibly Chantelle attracted a million hits, making her one of the site's hottest properties and beating some of the world's biggest stars.

She decided to record more after the overwhelming reaction to her dad's candid clip. Again the response was huge.

Then a US music producer approached her and asked her to record a cover of Eva Cassidy's Fields OF Gold.

She has also recorded a series of promotional tracks for a German radio station.

The demand for her music has been so great that she will soon be launching her own website where fans across the world can hear her songs.

Chantelle, who was 14 when she was recorded, said: "At first I was just emabarrassed, I had no idea what dad had done.

"He's a typical dad, he thinks I have a good voice and wants everyone to know it.

"I can't believe what's happened, I'd love to be a singer but never thought anyone outside our home would ever hear me."

The youngster from Consett, County Durham, said: "I got so many hits I couldn't believe it and decided to do more. It's just rocketed since then."

Chantelle, who is in Year 10 at Moorside Community College in Consett, has been singing since she was five and also plays the piano and writes her own songs.

She said: "The way I feel when I sing is indescribable. It's just overwhelming and it all started when my dad used to play music when I was little.

"It didn't matter what it was I just started singing along and I soon picked it up. Music allows me to express myself and it gives me the power to help others.

"It makes me happy when I'm sad and seems to make other people happy too, which is just amazing."

One of Chantelle's most popular videos on YouTube is a tribute to 16-year-old school pal Ben Stirland who died after choking on a pen top in January this year.

Proud parents Diane and Paul always knew their daughter was a star, but said they didn't realise how special her voice was until they saw her perform at a school event.

Diane said: "I had heard her singing in her room, but when we saw her in this show at school we just couldn't believe it.

"She has had no training and she literally brings a tear to our eyes with her voice."

Paul said: "Obviously we are being very careful at the moment and checking all our options but we can't believe how quickly everything has snowballed.

"She wasn't serious about this. She was just a young girl having a bit of fun, but one day I decided to film her singing without her knowing and post it on YouTube, which we barely used up until then.

"Now she has fansites dedicated to her and people all over the world who love her music. We are just so proud."

Thousands of comments have been left on the site in reaction to what her fans describe as Chantelle's unique and special voice.

One user said in response to Chantelle singing Gone Too Soon: "You made me cry, I saw so much passion, you are fabulous, I don't think you realise how great you are."