Rebecca Ferguson performs at Action for Children’s Starry Night Gala

The singer and songwriter attended the event last night…

Rebecca Ferguson MBE was ‘beaming with pride’ after performing Tina Turner’s Proud Mary alongside 13-year-old Tobbi from Moray, Scotland at Action for Children’s Starry Night Gala yesterday evening (Nov 14th).

Hosted by Louise Boyce aka Mamma’s Still Got It and held at the glitzy art deco Sheraton Grand Hotel in the heart of London’s bustling Piccadilly, celebrity guests and VIPs were immersed in a night of glamour and entertainment, while raising vital funds for vulnerable children and young people.

Rebecca Ferguson:

“It’s been lovely to meet Tobbi and hear about his passion for music and theatre. We had a good time running through a whole host of songs, practicing a few different singing techniques and hopefully I passed on a few useful tips along the way. It’s so wonderful that he has found a loving family and to see him thriving – I’ve got no doubt I’ll be seeing him on TV in the future! We’re all here with one goal and that’s to raise funds for Action for Children and ensure more children like Tobbi have a safe and happy childhood.”

Tobbi was placed in care after a difficult early childhood. Four years ago, he was fostered through Action for Children by empty-nesters Allan and Carol. Tobbi had missed a lot of school and struggled with reading and writing, but Tobbi is now thriving at school.

Rebecca Ferguson MBE performs with 13-year-old Tobbi at Action for Children’s Starry Night Gala on Thursday (14 November)

Having arrived at Allan and Carol’s, Tobbi appeared shy, with not a lot of confidence. It wasn’t until a family holiday over Christmas 2021, that Tobbi surprised everyone by performing alongside the hotel’s entertainment staff that his passion for performing came to light. Carol and Allan tapped into Tobbi’s hidden talent, and he has joined a stage coaching school, taken acting classes and has recently joined a casting agency. In a short time, not only is he now able to confidently read, write and learn his lines – he also reads books for fun, which he didn’t enjoy doing before.

Ahead of his night on stage, Rebecca Ferguson spent a morning meeting Tobbi and Allan.

Allan, 68, Tobbi’s foster father:

“Watching my boy perform on stage with Rebecca Ferguson brought a tear to my eye. Tobbi is a world away from the timid boy who showed up on our doorstep. To see his pure joy letting loose and dancing to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary is a feeling like no other.”

Other VIP guests that attended the star-studded bash included Angela Rippon CBE, Vanessa Feltz, Kai Fagan, Sanam Harrinanan, Kelsey Parker, Georgia Jones, Laura Hamilton, Jimmy Akingbola, Sola Akingbola, Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Fats Timbo, Debbie Bright, Jay Howard, Kat Shoob and Tom Price, Olivia Cox, Janey Smith and Roger Hawes, Pandora Christie and Sophie Tea.

There are currently 4.3 million children in the UK living in poverty. Some may wake up on Christmas morning to nothing but a cold house. The Starry Night Gala will help to raise awareness for Action for Children’s Secret Santa campaign, which provides vulnerable children with warm clothes, a hot meal or a Christmas present just for them. Action for Children helped over 687,755 children, young people and families last year. To donate visit Iamsanta.org.uk