STROUD favourite Hattie Briggs has won the Fender Undiscovered Artist 2017 competition, and with it the opportunity to perform at the 02 Shepherd’s Bush on Friday.

Guitar giant Fender had previously whittled down 650 applicants to just eight semi-finalists, with the group of singer-songwriters taking to the stage over the past two weeks to perform for their chance to make the final.

After the two semi-finals, the three lucky finalists were decided upon and invited back to perform live in Fender’s Facebook Live final.

Hattie performed two songs in the final at the East London Studios last Thursday night, alongside other finalists Sherika Sherard and Martha Phillips.

She sang “Never Been in Love Before” from her May EP “Hide” and took a risk playing a brand new song, “Up to You”, which she played in public for the very first time.

The judges loved the upbeat bluesy tempo of the song. One of the judges, Kev from Communion Records, said: "You are a brilliant songwriter with a great understanding of harmonic movement that is really strong, and your voice is off the scale.”

The judge from Fender, Neil, added: “Your songwriting is stunning, your finger picking style assured - I look forward to hearing those pin drop moments with a larger audience.”

The final was hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and live streamed on Facebook. It has so far been watched by over 153,000 people around the world.

Voting closed on Sunday night and there was a very tense period of waiting for Hattie and her family, friends and fans before Hattie was declared the winner on Monday.

Hattie won a stunning Fender guitar for getting to the semi finals and her main prize is to open Lucy Rose’s gig this Friday at the Shepherds Bush Empire which will be filled with 2,000 people.

Hattie said: "I am over the moon to be named Fender Undiscovered Artist of the Year 2017.

"Thank you so much for all your votes. It’s been an absolute joy to hang out with Sherika Sherard, Martha Phillips, the judges and the whole Fender team. What an experience. Shepherd's Bush Empire here we come!”

  •  To watch the Fender final visit the Fender Europe page on Facebook, or visit on Hattie’s Facebook page. Visit hattiebriggs.co.uk for more.
  • Her next Gloucestershire appearance will be her fourth at the Maggie’s Christmas Concert in Christ Church, Cheltenham on December 14.