Teenage singing star Courtney Hadwin misses out on winning America's Got Talent title
The 14-year-old from Hesleden, had been among the favourites to win the one million dollar prize money but failed to make the top five during last night's final.
Courtney, who performed a duet with English band The Struts during the final, came sixth in the competition.
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Hide AdThe finalists were separated into pairs before host Tyra Banks told the contestants who had moved through to the final five.
Courtney was in the final pair alongside her fellow singer, Michael Ketterer.
After Banks revealed Ketterer would be going through, Courtney walked over to hug him.
Tyra then told her: "You are amazing.
"You have introduced rock and roll to so many kids.
"This is just the beginning, you should be so proud".
Courtney replied: "Thank you."
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Hide AdThe competition was won by Canadian-American magician Shin Lim.
Courtney, who is a pupil at The Academy at Shotton Hall in Peterlee, joined with band The Struts for a cover of Piece Of My Heart, a song made famous by American singer Janis Joplin.
She had reached the final through a string of impressive performances and during the first leg on Tuesday was described as a "superstar in the making" by judge Howie Mandel.
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Hide AdFollowing her cover of Tina Turner's River Deep - Mountain High, he told her: "Amazing.
"Your letters were on fire.
"You are on fire.
"You are amazing, you are a superstar.
"I love everything about you, I love your look, I love your style, I love your voice.
"I love your performance. I think the world does too, we are watching a superstar in the making right here on America's Got Talent."
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Hide AdCourtney's first appearance on America's Got Talent went viral and she has since impressed with covers of classic songs including Steppenwolf's 1969 hit Born To Be Wild, Otis Redding's Hard To Handle and James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag.
She has more than 200,000 Instagram followers and more than 36,000 followers on Twitter.
The British teenager previously took part in The Voice Kids UK, and is able to compete in America's Got Talent as the competition is open to anyone with a visitor visa to the US.