A TALENTED three-year-old country singer has taken her first steps into the world of showbusiness.

Grace Freer, of Stapleford End, Wickford, starred on popular television show Keep it Country after a video of her performing was shared on social media.

Her proud mum, Hayley Thompson, filmed the tot singing a rendition of Amanda, by Chris Stapleton, and tweeted a copy of the footage to the American music star.

She was also able to tip off Essex-based Phil Mack, presenter of the Sky Showcase programme, about her talented daughter when he popped into Rainbird House Dental Practice, Brentwood, where she works.

Miss Thompson, 27, a dental nurse, said that Grace's love of the show is in her genes.

She said: “My side of the family are massively into country and western music, and we regularly watch Phil Mack’s show.

“He actually uses the dental practice where I work, so I mentioned that Grace enjoys the show and that she had a go at singing to one of Chris’s songs.

"Phil then had a look at it online and we got a big shock to see Grace on his show. He did a really lovely introduction for her, and it was absolutely perfect.”

Paul Freer, 29, Grace’s father, believes his daughter could have a big future ahead of her He said: “It may not seem a huge thing to everyone else, but it makes us really proud.

“It’s the first time any of us have been on something as big as this, and she’s done it at such an early stage in her life. Hayley’s side of the family are massively into country and western, and it seems she’s clearly got the bug for it too.

Her grandad has performed lots of gigs over the years, although he’s cutting back on those a bit now. Who knows, she may go on to continue the tradition.”