A NATIONAL star stunned local crowds after performing at a sold-out concert at Dumfries House.

Kerry, who has been hailed the leading lady of London’s West End, treated hundreds of fans to renditions of some of musical theatre’s bestknown songs at the Cumnock estate.

She was joined by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, Musichoir, Riley and Ayr Academy Choir as part of An Evening Of Music From The West End. .

Ellis, who has held starring roles in Wicked, We Will Rock You, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon and Les Misérables, was joined onstage by Musichoir, Glasgow singer-songwriter Riley, Ayr Academy Choir, and Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall.

She said: “It was an honour to perform at Dumfries House for the very first time as part of An Evening Of Music From The West End. I always enjoy performing in Scotland but singing to a sold-out crowd in such a magnificent venue made my first visit to Ayrshire particularly memorable.

“I was very impressed by the performances given by Musichoir, Riley and Ayr Academy Choir and really enjoyed getting to work alongside such talented local groups.”

Jai McDowall, who is originally from Tarbolton, added: “Belting out showtunes to a sold-out crowd at Dumfries House alongside Kerry Ellis, Musichoir, Riley and Ayr School Choir was an amazing experience. I come from the local area so I hear a lot about all the great work being done for the local community by The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House. It was great to support their work by performing at this event and I’d love to come back in the future.”

Members of Musichoir, Scotland’s leading contemporary choir, last performed at Dumfries House in December as part of a live broadcast on Good Morning Britain and were delighted to return to estate for such a high-profile event. The choir was set up in 2011 by Neil Thompson and Susie McMahon, a husband-and-wife team with a strong history in musical theatre. From an initial membership of 23, more than 400 people have been part of Musichoir, which now operates in Ayrshire and Glasgow.

Neil explained: “Musichoir is all about doing something that is fresh and fun, and giving our members opportunities to perform at high-profile events.

Sharing the stage with Kerry Ellis, Jai McDowall, Riley and Ayr Academy Choir was great fun and we can’t wait to return to Dumfries House in the future.”

Riley, a talented singer-songwriter from Glasgow who has recently toured Scotland with Tide Lines, said: “Performing at Dumfries House was so exciting. I’d describe myself as a country-pop artist so this event was something very different for me. It was fun to be given the opportunity to perform songs from Hairspray and Waitress and getting to share the stage with Kerry Ellis was a dream come true.”

Dumfries House is now the second-largest employer in East Ayrshire with more than 250 full-time and parttime staff across the house, estate and education programmes.