Sheffield Wednesday legend's daughter stars in TV show The Voice

Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle's daughter is hoping an appearance on The Voice tonight kick-starts her singing career.

Brooke Waddle, from Totley, will be seen on the BBC One show in a blind audition for judges Will.i.am, Boy George, Ricky Wilson and Paloma Faith.

The 27-year-old, who used to perform with a band in Majorca before going solo and starting gigging two years ago, performs in South Yorkshire social clubs most weeks, with her ex-England international footballer dad as her roadie.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He helps to transport her equipment from club to club and watches her performances most weeks.

Unable to disclose whether she makes it through to the next round of the contest, with a recording contract for the winner up for grabs, Brooke said Waddle, who became a Hillsborough legend after playing for the Owls between 1992 and ’96, is one of her biggest fans.

“He used to come for moral support and to make sure I was safe but he does enjoy coming because he loves the social clubs – they were massive in the North East, where he grew up, and he says he can remember people queueing up outside from 5pm to get a seat.

“Now there are sometimes only 10 to 15 people in them, which is sad,” she said.

Chris Waddle
Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993Chris Waddle
Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993
Chris Waddle Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Some of the social clubs have rooms which are grand and beautiful.

“They have cheap drink, bingo and are cheap nights out – it’s a shame that more people don’t go to them.”

Brooke, who grew up listening to Northern Soul, will be seen singing Kiki Dee’s I’ve Got The Music In Me tonight.

“I’m excited to see what comes up from my experience on The Voice, it’s very exciting,” she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her footballer dad had a Top 20 hit with his single Diamond Lights in 1987, which he sang with fellow England international and then Tottenham Hotspur teammate, Glenn Hoddle.

They performed it on Top Of The Pops.

Brooke, who works as an admin assistant to help pay the bills, is hoping to make a name for herself from tonight’s TV appearance.

In her old ‘novelty’ band, The Sundaes, she used to perform ‘classic diva hits’ but said after four years of performing in hotels and Gay Pride events, she felt the need to ‘rejoin the real world’.

Chris Waddle
Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993Chris Waddle
Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993
Chris Waddle Sheffield Wednesday v Wimbledon 17th October 1993

She said: “Since going solo I’ve got my passion for singing back.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Growing up with a dad who played for England between 1985 and 1991 and who was a member of two World Cup squads, Brooke said there was never a day when the wing wizard was not asked for an autograph or a photo.

She said: “He never ever refused because he said that he wanted that when he was first starting out, and he never forgot that.”

n Will Brooke be next? See Monday’s Star to see how the audition went.