A SINGING teacher has spoken out to rally support for one of her pupils who is a contestant on the BBC's nationwide search for a West End Star.

Julie Gossage, from Naphill, said Lauren Samuels has been unfairly edited on the TV show Over the Rainbow which is looking for a performer to play Dorothy for the West End production of the Wizard of Oz.

Lauren, 22, from London was kept in last week by Andrew Lloyd-Webber after being in the dreaded sing off alongside Bronte Barbe as they sang to keep themselves in the competition.

Julie, who taught Lauren at Guildford School of Acting and still gives her private singing lessons, said: “She is a fantastic girl, with a great sense of humour, but I think she has been portrayed in a highly polished and confident manner.

“I was disappointed but not surprised by the editing. She didn't deserve to be in the bottom two.”

Julie said Lauren has helped her out at a masterclass at Pipers Corner School in Great Kingshill, where Julie is also a singing teacher, and at her BuxVox singing workshop in High Wycombe last year.

She added: “She has enormous potential. I know she can do this. I am upset and I know she has been upset at the way she has been portrayed.

“I believe she is the best performer for the job. They are going to ask these girls to do eight shows every single week and the stamina required is enormous. She has had the training to be able to do this.

“She is a very good actress and she is quirky. We all have an archetypical image in mind of what Dorothy looks like and I think she is the nearest to it.

“I want her to know every one is supporting her.”

See Lauren on Over The Rainbow on BBC1 this Saturday at 7.15pm.