ONE of the nation’s biggest talent-seeking competitions has already transformed the life of a County Durham teenager who has suffered emotional and mental health struggles.

Shanaya Atkinson-Jones, 19, wowed the line-up of celebrity judges on ITV’s The X Factor as she delivered her own soulful rendition of Say Something, by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera.

Not only did the teen, of School Aycliffe, near Newton Aycliffe, secure an impressive four yeses during the audition - sending her through to the contest’s next stage - but she received a wave of support from some of the millions of viewers who tuned in on Sunday night.

Though life has not always been easy for Shanaya, who was adopted as a three-year-old, her family say her success on the show has already had a life-changing effect.

She said: “I can’t actually believe the amount of comments and support online it’s overwhelming and Im so grateful for all the positive messages I’m getting its really helping my confidence.

“I was really nervous but excited. I had put so much effort into getting myself ready for the audition that I wanted to be perfect for the judges.

“I love singing it’s all I think about it’s all I want to do so the fact that the judges really liked it meant everything to me. I was happy that they were happy and I’m going to keep working to get better. “

In November last year her mother Belinda spoke of her daughter’s battle with emotional and mental health issues as a result of her adoption at such a young age.

But the defiant young woman appears to have found an outlet in singing and last year came second in the national Open Mic UK competition in the 16 to 20 age category.

Her grandfather John Atkinson said: “She had a very difficult life before that, we’re led to believe, and consequently she’s been very shy, retiring and doesn’t make friends easily.

“I think it’s really brought her out. We can’t believe how confident she has become and we’re over the moon and thrilled to bits.”

During Shanaya’s audition on The X Factor, judge and music producer Simon Cowell told the humble singer “I love you”, entertainment manager Louis Walsh said “it was the perfect song, the perfect voice”, Nicole Scherzinger labelled her a “diamond in the rough”, and Alesha Dixon added: “You pitched that perfectly. I couldn’t take my eyes off you - it was so soulful and hypnotising.”

Former Durham High School and Greenfield Community College pupil Shanaya also drew praise from last year’s winner Matt Terry on Twitter while a YouTube video of her television appearance had attracted more than 300,000 hits by midday yesterday.

Mr Atkinson added: “We’re all hoping for what the outcome will be and we’re all aware that people who don’t win it (The X Factor) can go on to have very lucrative futures.”