THE North-East's answer to Celine Dion will appear in the winner's final of a hit talent TV show on Saturday.

Karen McManus, 27, of Peterlee, County Durham, who started singing at karaoke nights, made a big impact when she won BBC1's Star For A Night in January.

She was likened to the Canadian superstar by show judge Nigel Martyn Smith, former manager of Take That, after performing her version of Gene Pitney's classic, I'm Gonna Be Strong.

Karen and ten other hopefuls will take part in the 90-minute live special that will be screened either side of the National Lottery show. A viewers' phone-in vote will decide the winner.

Karen has been working on her debut album at Consett studio Northern Recording - she is getting major record company interest - and sang to 10,000 people at the Allensford Roots Music Festival, staged by the studio during the summer.

A single of I'm Gonna Be Strong is due to be released by the BBC after the show.

Karen said: "Six years ago, I was working on a packaging production line and singing at pub karaokes with the lasses. I always wanted to become a singer. It was a dream for me but I never thought I would get the opportunity to sing to millions of people across the country. The first time I did the show I was a bag of nerves. Walking out there on my own was the scariest thing I have ever done.

"This time I've had loads of calls and e-mails from people all over the North-East wishing me well.''

The show, which aims to showcase the country's undiscovered talent, is hosted by Jane McDonald, who found stardom after appearing in the TV documentary The Cruise.