‘We always saw her potential’: Tring Park’s Ella makes number one with her debut album

Ella Henderson, 18, went on The X Factor two years ago.

Adele herself said on social networking website Twitter: “Ella Henderson on X Factor is absolutely incredible! I LOVE her!! Good luck xx.”

But sadly, Ella only came sixth in the TV talent contest.

The teen is backed by the Gascoignes and is best friends with Gazza’s son, Regan, who also went to Tring Park.

In 2012, Ella appeared on a celebrity Christmas special of Channel 4’s Come Dine with Me, singing Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. She was a guest of model Bianca Gascoigne, who lives in Little Gaddesden and took part in the recent Mud Pack Challenge for Berkhamsted’s The Hospice of St Francis.

Ella’s recent debut album Chapter One topped the charts, selling 16,000 copies more than its nearest rival.

Head of Tring Park’s performance foundation course Louisa Shaw said: “We saw Ella’s potential from the very start. Voices like hers don’t come along every day.

“Although Ella’s vocal ability was never in doubt, she needed a lot of encouragement from a performance perspective initially.

“Her intensive drama and dance training will have stood her in good stead for a pop career, enhancing her singing performance by teaching her to live the lyric of any song and giving the ability to move with ease when on camera.

“All our pupils and staff at Tring Park School are immensely proud of Ella.”