The 10-year-old Oakhill College pupil, who grew up with her family off Pendle Way, Burnley, before moving to Huncoat, has wowed the nation with her astonishing vocal talent.

The singing starlet came within a whisker of being able to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Show later this year but it was dance group Diversity that took the crown.

The youngster produced one of the most dramatic live scenes on TV of late after breaking down in tears because of nerves during her semi-final rendition of Edelweiss from the "Sound of Music".

Judge Amanda Holden, who described Hollie as "a little professional", joined Hollie's mum Nina on stage to comfort her before she was given the chance to perform again. Piers Morgan later said "it was one of the gutsiest things I've ever seen in my life".

And she more than made up for it with a belting performance that saw her through to the final of the competition. However, her performance of a song from musical "Phantom of the Opera" could not land her the victory.

Mrs Steel, who works in Burnley, said: "It has been a really good experience and we are pleased with how things have gone. We were all nervous before the final because of what had happened previously but we are so proud Hollie bounced back like she did and gave a wonderful performance in the final. To overcome those nerves and perform like she did in the final is absolutely brilliant. I was stood at the side of the stage crying.

"I am delighted for what Hollie has achieved. It has been an unbelievable experience. But now we'll go home and have a rest. She will go back to school and then rehearse for the 'Britain's Got Talent' tour. It's back to normality for a short while now and Hollie can enjoy having fun being a normal little girl again. But the future is looking pretty good for her and people have shown an interest. She is just excited to be part of the tour now."