BBC Radio 2 announces winner of songwriting competition

Leon's winning song was chosen from more than 15,000 entries.

A celebrity panel of Guy Chambers, Beverley Knight, Robin Gibb, Janice Long and Graham Gouldman judged the song from a shortlist of ten.

Janice, who launched the competition in her Radio 2 show in June, announced the winner in her show last night (Sunday 3 into Monday 4 October, midnight-3.00am).

Txt Me will be published by a major publishing company and will be featured on Janice's show tonight (4 October) at midnight, sung by US artist Kaci.

Kaci has recorded the song with the chart topping production team of Cutfather & Joe (Jamelia, Blue, Brandy and Westlife).

Kaci's debut single Paradise entered the UK chart at number 11, Tu Amor followed and went to number 24 and I Think I Love You reached number 10. Kaci was 17 yesterday (3 October).

Leon says: "This is a dream come true. I have been passionate about music since the age of five when I bought my first record.

"Finally, after years of writing and playing gigs and having nothing but knockbacks it seems like all the hard work and my love of music is beginning to pay off."

When asked if Leon should give up his day job Graham Gouldman said: "Definitely."

Of the song he said: "It was just brilliant. Lyrically it was an interesting idea and it went straight to the heart."

Robin Gibb said of the song: "To me it sounds like a hit record – it's an original idea. I think that it could be a major hit record."

Colin Martin, Radio 2's Editor, Music, who was also on the judging panel, says of the competition: "We were expecting maybe two or three thousand entries and by the closing date we had received over 15,000.

"We are absolutely astounded by the amount of interest out there. They say everyone has a book inside them – it also seems everybody has a song in them."

Full details on Sold on Song – Radio 2's encyclopaedia of songwriting - and the Search for a Songwriter Competition are available online at bbc.co.uk/radio2

Source: BBC