Talented singer Debbie Clarke is getting ready to relaunch her music career - once lockdown restrictions allow.

The former Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil was accepted at Hereford Cathedral School where she studied for seven years.

She then won a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London and whilst there she was a finalist in the MOCSA Young Welsh Singer Of The Year.

Her musical career then saw her sending a demo to Tony Visconti who is David Bowies’s longtime producer who agreed to work with Debbie.

After 18 months of hard work Warner Music agreed to sign Debbie and produce an album Manhattanhenge and then a further EP including the song ‘Choose Our Own Adventure’ which can be found on YouTube.

Debbie has lived in the Monmouth area her whole life whilst pursuing a career in music but in 2012 and 2014 personal tragedies hit her family.

Says Debbie: ‘‘Firstly my grandfather Terry Ellis died of cancerin 2013 and in 2014 I was a passenger in a head on car crash which killed my grandmother Beryl Ellis and seriously hurt my mother Bridget Clarke.

‘‘It has been a constant struggle to try and rebuild our lives from this, especially for my Mum.

‘‘When the Covid 19 pandemic hit I felt the need to pursue my career and indeed improve my health in earnest.

‘‘Since the first lockdown I have tried to be positive and began a healthy diet and weight loss plan of portion control and less treats which has led to a three stone weight loss.

‘‘I also have plans post lockdown to record in Nashville and Hamburg. My only regret is that my Nan never got to see my new weight loss as she loved fashion so much and would have been pleased I can fit in to nice clothes.

‘‘I wanted this story to be a bit of positive news and to try and inspire others. My plan is to return to my singing career properly sometime next year. I have had interest from a record producer in Nashville called Buddy Canon who produced for Willie Nelson but I can’t pursue this until it is safe to travel.’’