A SINGER has gone from working in a charity shop to being tipped for stardom.

Celeste Waite, from Saltdean, was praised for her humble acceptance speech and a “stunning” performance as she scooped the Rising Star gong at the Brit Awards on Tuesday night.

The coveted prize, which used to be called the Critics’ Choice award, has previously been claimed by several Sussex artists.

These include Adele, who lived on Hove seafront for several years, Uckfield musician Rag’n’Bone Man and singer-songwriter James Bay, who studied at British and Irish Modern Music (BIMM) in Brighton.

Other past winners include Florence And The Machine and Sam Smith.

Between them, the winners have sold more than 90 million records.

Receiving the award, 25-year-old Celeste gave her heartfelt thanks to fans and supporters.

A smiling Celeste said: “This is really cool and I never expected this to ever happen in my life, but I am just going to be quick. I just want to thank my family, who are just sitting over there.”

She gestured to a section of the crowd to the right of the stage before going on to thank her management team and record label.

Celeste thanked them “for understanding everything I wanted to do this year” and told the audience “hopefully I will see you all soon”.

Before accepting the award, she took to the stage to showcase her hit single, Strange.

Backed only by a piano, she stepped into the spotlight at London’s O2 Arena and had the crowd spellbound with an emotional performance which earned her many admirers. Billboard Magazine heralded the singer’s talent as “stunning”.

Her journey to singing success started about a decade ago on the South Coast, and has not been forgotten by the star.

She was inspired to sing after listening to Your Song by Elton John.

Celeste said: “I remember being 15 or 16. It’s quite a funny choice of song for someone that age. I asked my mum to come into my room and told her, ‘don’t look at me, don’t stare at me but I’m going to try and sing this song’. I remember her looking quite pleased.

“That’s when I remember having the confidence to try a bit more.”

Fashion magazine Vogue noted that she had paid homage to her soul heroes with a Gucci outfit for the Brit Awards evening.

Her stylist Ella Lucia told British Vogue: “The romance of the brand chimes with her music and the themes she explores in her lyrics. They both like talking about love”