It’s time to start smiling for Lucy

And the 24-year-old talked about how winning through to the opening rounds of the show has put the smile back on her face after enduring years of bullying.

The soprano impressed the panel with a cover of the opera song Vissi d’arte.

She said: “I’ve watched Britain’s got Talent ever since it came on TV and this year I just thought maybe this is the chance.”

It was her second attempt after failing an audition last year.

Said Lucy: “It was amazing. I’ve always watched it and thought “I wonder what the judges would say if I got to that stage.”

“I was so nervous but I think I had the confidence to actually go for it and to sing something that meant a lot to me.

“When I was seven I loved Charlotte Church. She was my idol at that time and I just wanted to be her. That’s how it all came about, I sing every day.”

Lucy is coming to terms with her newfound stardom. She only had a hundred Twitter followers before the show and now has more than 2,000.

“That in itself is amazing and some of the comments I’ve received and the messages,” she said.

“It’s just been unbelievable. I’ve never had that many friends.”

She has an aria in mind to sing if she reaches the semi-finals: “It’s been a favourite of mine since I was seven and a favourite of my grandad’s. If I get to the semi-finals you’ll hear it. I’ll be practising every single day.”