SENSATIONAL swing was in store at the Alnwick Playhouse in an exciting X-Factor style competition.

Ten budding singers took to the stage to compete in the final of the Swing Factor.

And after two rounds of voting it was Jack Greaves who was crowned the King of Swing.

The Duchess's High School youngster blew the judges and audience away with superb renditions of Fly Me To The Moon, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Mack the Knife.

The talented showster even added a dance move or two.

Impressed judges couldn't help but sing the swingster's praises.

Peter Brown beamed: "There is a career there for you somewhere."

And Gillian Brunton declared: "You are very talented.

"You have the voice, the movement and the style, you have it all."

And they were right.

Because Jack did have it all, and his fantastic voice and smooth style, oozing charisma, certainly epitomized what the competition was about.

The King of Swing edged passed Glen Hogg and Sarah Purvis, second and third respectively, to take the music gong, while David Brewis and Wendy Boyd also reached the grand finale on the night.

Earlier five more contestants, Vince Hope, Clare Mills, George Millar, Phil Stevens and Shaun McVey, had lost out in the first round on the night.

But, while only one could be crowned the King of Swing, all 10 contestants were winners.

For many it was their first time singing on stage, indeed Glen had admitted that he had had no previous singing experience apart from karaoke, and all adapted well and coped remarkably with the songs in the small amount of time available to practise the swing numbers.

It was also a rare opportunity to sing in front of a swing band.

Certainly such an opportunity doesn't come along often for many, but all 10 embraced it fantastically.

And what an opportunity it was. Because Ray Thompson's Band – All That Jazz – were awesome.

The sizzling septet, consisting of Sverre Thomasen, Gavin Johnson, Ron Creasey, Remo Forte, Kirsteen Gray, Mick Archbold and Ray Thompson, provided a dazzling display of well-known swing songs including Ain't That A Kick In The Head, I've Got You Under My Skin and S'Wonderful.

They also slowed the pace of the show down with beautiful ballads such as Georgia On My Mind and I Don't Know How To Love Him.

Thanks also has to go to the three judges Gillian Brunton, Peter Brown and Kevin Thompson and to Peter Lewis who compered the evening.

The Swing Factor was quite a unique event at the Playhouse but it was a fantastic night and it would be great if it was the catalyst for future music competitions here.

Because, and to steal a phrase from Kevin Thompson, the event was "S'Marvellous".

JAMES WILLOUGHBY