X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother star lands ‘normal job’ worlds away from TV 13 years after shooting to fame

A STAR who appeared in two of TV’s biggest reality competitions has landed a special new role.

The vocalist was just a teenager when they competed against the likes of Little Mix, Janet Devlin and Marcus Collins on The X-Factor in 2011.

Getty Images - Getty

The Headlight Project

Getty - Contributor

Amelia Lily finished in third place and went on to be runner-up in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 behind the late Sarah Harding.

She has now started working for a beloved local charity.

The Headlight Project helps people across the Tees Valley who have been impacted by the suicide of a loved one.

With Amelia previously having performed at one of the Headlight Project’s annual fundraisers, she is now the Stockton-based charity’s Events Coordinator.

She said: “I’m a type one diabetic, and I’m an ambassador for FreeStyle Diabetes and I’ve worked with Diabetes UK and JDRF for many years.

I’ve known about the Headlight Project since it started and
the incredible work it does and I was looking for ways to get involved.

“Then this role came up, and I just thought it was a great chance to support a charity doing life-changing work in my home region.”

Since shooting to fame on the hit ITV series, Amelia has since taken her talents to the West End.

This has seen her starring in musicals such as Shrek and American Idiot.

In addition to her new role at the Headlight Project, the 29-year-old will continue to perform.

Her new role involves helping organise some of the Headlight Project’s established fundraising events, such as the Great North Run and Walk 100 Miles in October.

Amelia will also be helping to create new events, while assisting with day-to-day activities of the charity.

Anne Cullum, CEO of the Headlight Project said Amelia’s arrival is a welcome addition to the award-winning team.

She commented: “We are all over-the-moon that Amelia has joined the Headlight Project,” she added.

“Like any charity, fundraising is crucial for our sustainability and growth, and our annual events play a huge role in enabling our team to carry out the vital work we do across the Tees Valley.

“Amelia’s role is important in raising awareness and overseeing and supporting our fundraising activities, so we can continue to fund our services, such as the provision of our one-to-one counselling for adults and children bereaved by suicide.

“Unfortunately, Teesside has long been synonymous with very high levels of suicide.

“We hope the work we proactively carry out – in schools and across the community – is helping to make a difference
in countering that.”

Ken McKay/ITV/Talkback Thames/PA Wire