A TALENTED Basingstoke singer, who enjoyed a brief spell as a YouTube sensation, has made it through to the regional finals of a major competition.

Rebecca Strachan was catapulted into the spotlight after uploading a video of herself singing in Korean in 2007.

The video quickly became a cult hit, receiving more than a quarter-of-a-million hits.

Despite promises from Korean record label JYP Entertainment to fly her out to Korea and make her a star, she ultimately decided to go to university after the label temporarily lost contact with her.

She put her singing dreams on hold for a few years, but is now making waves in the music world again.

Rebecca, 24, will perform in the regional final of Open Mic UK on October 28 at the Sub89 venue in Reading, competing for a place in the national grand final which will be held in the O2 in London.

Rebecca, of Aster Road, Kempshott, said: “I’m not used to singing on stage. I’m usually singing in the garage and uploading the videos online. I am very nervous but I’m looking forward to the regional final.”

The student, who is currently studying in Winchester to become a primary school teacher, also recently won a singing contest organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation, winning a free flight and three nights' accommodation in Seoul.

She fell in love with Asian music in 2003 after searching for the soundtrack to her favourite computer game Final Fantasy, and was inspired to teach herself Korean.