Katy Setterfield has won The One And Only

When Katy Setterfield sang her last notes as Dusty Springfield in the finals of a BBC talent show, that was the exact moment her wishin' and hopin' for international stardom finally came true.

In the weeks after winning The One And Only, the talented High Wycombe singer revealed the public vote was "pretty much tied between the top three", until she performed the 1966 classic, All I See Is You.

"I think anyone could have won it," says Katy, who lives in Terriers with her husband, Andy. "Apparently the votes were more or less the same, but I was told it was only when I sang the last note of All I See Is You that the votes just shot up.

"I just kept thinking I'll only ever get one chance at this and I've dreamed all my life of singing in front of the nation. I'm so proud of myself, particularly as Dusty's songs are so tricky to sing. The judges even told me I had a world class voice, so that really is a job well done."

Now the Watford-born talent will fly out to Las Vegas in May for three months, where she will perform with the professional show, Legends In Concert.

The prize is something of a dream come true for the 37-year-old performer, who never thought she would win The One And Only.

"I didn't even think I would get through the opening round," she tells me. "I was petrified. I wondered would people even remember Dusty? And how would I come across on television? It was such a frightening prospect."

Fortunately for Katy, her striking resemblance in both appearance and vocal talent to Dusty Springfield bowled over the voting public, week after week, although she admits it was some way into the competition before she began feeling more confident.

The avid Hornets fan explains: "The first time I saw myself on the television it was very, very strange. It's weird enough seeing yourself, let alone doing an impression of another person. It''s only when I sang Son Of A Preacher Man in the fourth week and I watched it back that I finally saw Dusty up there, not me."

Speaking about her alter-ego, Katy tells me she has "loved Dusty from a very early age" and spent her childhood keenly listening to her songs on the radio, including her personal favourite, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me.

"What's really interesting about Dusty is that she changed so much over the course of her life, as did her voice," explains Katy. "Someone once said to me that she had five or six different voices through the years, so it was a real challenge trying to do them all, let alone one!"

Katy first discovered her ability for singing aged four and began learning the piano at eight. After studying at the Watford School of Music, Katy worked at Hammonds music store in Watford, before performing at cabaret venues in the USA, Japan and Cyprus. She later set up a girl group, Basic Instinct, and worked alongside Jim Davidson in The Falklands on HMS Illustrious.

When she joined the touring show, That'll Be The Day, Katy was given the chance to impersonate other singers and performed as Cher, Peggy Lee, Blondie, Tina Turner and Lulu. But she says there was always something special about performing as her idol, Dusty. "Even now I think she was the best female singer this country has ever had. Her voice was so soulful, beautiful and moving."

Katy tells me she is "very sorry" that she never had the chance to meet Dusty, who lived in Henley-on-Thames until her death in 1999.

She adds: "When I went onto the show, my main object was to try and bring Dusty's music back, rather than let it slip away with her memory. I don't think the public held Dusty in enough esteem when she was alive. I think it's only looking back now that people realise that."

Away from the stage, Katy enjoys the simple things in life, such as looking after her beloved whippet, Blue, so called after his "deep blue eyes" and spending time with her horse, also called Blue. "The horse came with that name," laughs Katy, but it's more than appropriate for a woman who shares a passion for all things musical, and particularly the Blues.

"I've always loved horses, I've ridden them all my life," she adds. "There's no other feeling quite like that, the freedom you get from riding."

Katy also has a studio built into her home, where she loves just playing her piano for the fun of it, or even recording her own material. "Who knows, maybe I'll get to launch some of my own music one day," she says hopefully.

Now looking to the future, Katy sees Las Vegas as a "once in a lifetime opportunity", and says she has high hopes for the future.

"I would really like this to be the start of something," she enthuses. "My only hope is that I continue singing. I would really love that."

12:00pm Thursday 10th April 2008

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