Talia's fame void filled by faith

X Factor finalist Talia Dean once dreamed of stardom – but when the cheers faded all that remained was a crushing emptiness.

“It’s an endless search to fill a void you can never fill with claps and cheers and money,” she told Songs of Praise presenter Sean Fletcher.

The singer, who soared to the 2017 final with her powerful voice and glamorous presence, revealed she spiral led into exhaustion and depression in the years that followed.

“I spent years feeling very low, searching for this ‘something’,” she said.

And Christmas – “when we’re almost forced to be happy” – was especially stressful.

On New Year’s Eve 2023, everything changed.

In a moment of desperation, Talia sat in a churchyard with her “head in her hands begging for some sort of sign… of warmth or love”.

And the Lord answered.

“I spotted three little figures. It was the vicar’s wife and her two daughters. They invited me in for a cup of tea – then asked if they could pray for me.

“As they did so, the whole room lit up. It was incredible – the entire kitchen was alight.”

That night, she made a heartfelt plea to God: “If you are who you say you are, I just need one more sign – though I know I’m taking the mickey as you’ve already done that.”

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