BGT star Sydnie Christmas warns of the pressures of fame for young reality stars

In the wake of the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who fell to his death from the third floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires last month aged 31, she says TV shows need to protect young stars from the pressure of being in the public spotlight.

Sydnie, 29, who was working on the reception desk for a gym near her home in Gravesend, Kent, when she won BGT, said: "I think something has to put in place to protect children, because obviously you need them for TV and film.

"I don't think there should be a complete ban on children appearing on TV, but there should be more support and more protection so they can cope with it."

She added: "I think everyone should have the chance to grow up in peace, whether career they choose.

"I'm really blessed good things in my career didn't start happening until now, because I had all that time to make my mistakes and do things in private.

"It's too much pressure for people doing this in public, whether they're behaving well or not. It's a judgement that impacts you."

Sydnie is hoping for a Christmas hit with her festive EP being released next month.

And she says she is excited to perform for the King and Queen at the Royal Variety Show at the Royal Albert Hall on Frida.

She said: "I love the royals and I am very excited to meet them."

Her first album, titled My Way, was released last month with a solo tour recently announced for February.

Sydnie added she cannot believe how much her life has changed since winning BGT, which has included performing at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé and Jennifer Hudson, for songwriter David Foster's 75th birthday celebration, earlier this month.

She said: "I feel very lucky, it's life changing."

*For more details about her album and tickets for her live shows visit her Instagram