I’VE always been a fan of TV talent shows and secretly harboured a desire to appear on one, but I never thought it would actually happen.

However, when Elinor Powell’s Sgarmes auditioned for a new show called Pitch Battle earlier this year, I had a feeling my dream was about to come true.

There was genuine interest from the producers who spent time getting to know us, both as a group and as individuals.

They said they’d let us know if we’d been successful or not - coincidentally - on the same day, Elinor was due to celebrate a special birthday. It felt like kismet, but with almost 1,000 groups auditioning up and down the country, we also knew the chances of being picked were slim.

Weeks went by, Elinor’s birthday arrived and, finally, the call came.

Sgarmes had made it on to the show!

Rehearsals followed in both Aberystwyth and London. Three days were scheduled at the BBC in Salford for wardrobe, hair and make-up to create our look, and for us to rehearse with the band in the incredible LED covered studio.

On the fourth day we filmed our episode, appearing alongside five incredibly talented groups: Alle Choir, London International, Songbird Sessions, The 4tune Tellers & Kimmy and, the eventual episode winners, All The King’s Men.

I had no expectations about how we would get on - I was just thrilled to be on a prime time Saturday night TV show - so when we found ourselves in the top two alongside ATKM, I was beyond excited.

Guest judge Bebe Rexha chose the slick a capella nine-piece from King’s College London as the winners, and we were genuinely pleased. They were amazing and, as runners-up, we still had a shot at being in the final if the show’s resident judges, Gareth Malone and Kelis, decided to put us through.

Weeks followed and there was no news, but then the producers asked us, at short notice, to gather at Aberystwyth Rugby Club.

We found a camera crew there and a video of Kelis popped up on the TV. She delivered the news that we had been chosen as the wild card and would be taking part in the live final. We would also get the chance to sing with Jermaine Jackson!

As dreams go, our Sgarmes Pitch Battle journey was a great one.

Read the full feature in this week’s Cambrian News, on sale now