WHEN singer Lydia Griffiths toured Australia back in 2008, she had no idea that years later, she'd still be there.

Born and raised in Wrexham, at age 16, she won the second series of ITV's Big Big Talent Show hosted by Jonathan Ross.

Later that year, she was invited to perform for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on The Royal Command Performance, where she shared the stage with artists such as The Spice Girls, Celine Dion and Michael Bolton, before meeting the Queen herself.

Lydia has since gone on to write her own music with a Melbourne song writing team and still lives in Australia 16 years on.

She said: "I’d been traveling Australia with a show for a few months before the production hit Melbourne. When I arrived in the city, I had a weird feeling that this was exactly where I was supposed to be. 

"The arts scene here is buzzing and there’s so much opportunity for people to collaborate with other artists and surround themselves with inspiration. Over 10 years later, I’m still here but I haven’t forgotten my Welsh roots. All my family are still in Wrexham and I love to sing in Welsh whenever I get the opportunity." 

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Lydia added: "It was a big thing as a 16-year-old to be performing side by side with such huge names, but at that age you take things in your stride. 

"Meeting the Queen is an experience I’ll never forget - although it was fleeting - it was an honour." 

In the years following her early success, Lydia achieved her lifelong ambition when she was cast in the West End production of Les Miserables.

She later went on to take over the role of Cosette opposite S Club 7’s Jon Lee as Marius. 

Lydia has also appeared as guest soloist at The Royal Albert Hall in a tribute to the music of Sir Tim Rice and has returned many a year to pay homage to musical greats alongside Glenn Close, Roger Moore and Cliff Richard.

Lydia’s concert and cabaret work has taken her all over the world, performing in arenas and concert halls, on ships and in theatres.

She has also performed with some of the UK’s leading military bands and concert orchestras, namely The British Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, The Prince of Wales Swing Band and the Band of the Royal Life Guards.

Last month, she released her debut single, 'Turned On A Dime', which she wrote in collaboration with Melbourne songwriting team; Wendy Barnes and Malcolm McDonough, plus Producer Paul Harris.

That is very much already attracting plenty of attention on the airways and is available on all major streaming platforms.

Lydia said: "The song is a soulful ballad about the twists and turns of life. I think everyone can relate to the lyrics in some way."