A TALENTED vocalist said he was “gobsmacked” when he found out he had reached the final of a nationwide competition.

Max Maximo, 29, from Holland-on-Sea, has been performing since taking to the stage at the age of ten and immediately “loving the attention.”

For the past 11 years, Max has been a familiar face on gig circuits in Essex and further afield, having fronted several bands and won over crowds as a soloist.

Despite numerous setbacks, he is as determined as ever to fulfil his dream of becoming an established and successful singer.

Max said: “I have always been musical and it has always been my dream to get somewhere.

“It is an unforgiving industry and you do get a lot of knock backs, but you just have to keep going.

“I need music in my life because it really brings the best out of me.

“Sometimes you get fed up because you are doing everything you can but then you realise you won’t just get it handed to you. It’s a test of how much you want it.”

Max’s unbreakable perseverance now appears to have paid dividends as he has won a place in the final of Open Mic UK’s hunt for the country’s best singer.

The annual competition attracts more than 15,000 hopefuls every year, who can either perform their own songs or covers version.

Max’s appearance in the final stage, which takes places this Saturday at the O2 Indigo, in London, will have an added significance.

Having breezed through the audition stages and the subsequent area finals, Max stumbled at the second from last hurdle, initially failing to make the final.

He was thrown a lifeline, however, when he came out on top following a wildcard vote.

Max said: “I never go into these things expecting to get far. I go in for the experience.

“I was accepting of not getting into the final, because I am not a bitter person and if I don’t make the cut, I don’t make it.

“I didn’t perform to the best of my ability and I could have done better but I now have the chance to do better.

“I would love to win it, but if I don’t, it won’t stop me pursuing music and my dream. It will be a victory in itself to have got that far.”

Find out for about Max Maximo by visiting facebook.com/maximosings.