A BOURNEMOUTH teenager is being tipped for stardom by music channel MTV.

Former Highcliffe School pupil Ebony Day is the first ever unsigned act to win MTV’s Brand New award, a viewer-led search for the UK’s best new music.

Previous recipients of the award include Conor Maynard, Jessie J and Justin Bieber.

Ebony is a student at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford and last week visited her hometown to visit students at the ACMR in Bournemouth.

The 19-year-old turned to music after being confined to her home as a result of food allergies. Forced to miss a lengthy period of school, she began to play guitar and sing.

She uploaded her own songs and cover versions on to YouTube and has built a large fanbase, with her videos being viewed more than 19 million times.

She beat off established artists to win the MTV award and her music will now be played by the influential television channel.

She said: “I’m so overwhelmed that my fans have made this win possible.

“It’s all down to their ongoing support and hard work.

“This is a dream come true, I’ve never been happier.”

The singer is about to release her first single and perform her first headline show.

Ebony is a student at the ACM in Guildford and had this message for those trying to make it in the muisc industry: “I would say don’t lose hope.

“You see so many people who want to do the same thing and it does get difficult sometimes but you just need to remember what you love about it and how fun it is when things go good.

“Social media is important right now. Right now that’s the thing that’s going to get people noticed, plus a bit of luck.

“The more you try and the harder you work, it’s all going to pay off.”