CORNWALL’S ‘Frank Sinatra’ is heading to the national final of a talent competition after entertaining elderly residents in care homes.

Jacob Reed, aged 19, from Camborne, will be competing in Care Sector’s Got Talent with a chance to win £5,000 after performing for care home residents with songs made famous by the iconic crooner over the past two years.

Residents in care homes such as Cowbridge Care Home in Lostwithiel, Falmouth Court Care Home, Kenwyn Care Home in Truro, Blackwood Care Home in Camborne and Trevaylor Manor Care Home in Penzance are just some that have enjoyed Jacob’s talent.

Jacob Reed will be competing in Care Sector’s Got Talent
Jacob Reed will be competing in Care Sector’s Got Talent

Jacob regularly performs songs including Frank Sinatra’s My Way, Dean Martin favourites and Nat King Cole classics, as well as Elvis Presley and Tom Jones, with residents often singing along and dancing to the music.

He has also been building a repertoire of classic songs from some of the biggest names of the Rat Pack era, as well as artists including Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.

Now the teenager is swapping care home audiences for the national stage after reaching the final of the annual talent competition, which celebrates the talent, creativity and personality of people working and living in social care.

Jacob is considerably younger than many of his audiences who are in their eighties and nineties but says performing for older people has become a big part of his musical journey.

Jacob said: “It’s a very rewarding job making the residents happy. They love singing along and often get up and dance. At the end of my act, they come up and tell me how lovely I am and how good my voice is.

“I get most requests for Tom Jones and like to do a bit of an impression of him. I always end my act with Delilah, which always goes down a storm. Afterwards the residents come up and tell me how lovely I am and how good my voice is. It makes me feel good about what I do.

“I can’t believe I’m actually a finalist in the competition I’m starting to get excited. It’s still good to keep some of the nerves ahead of the big night.”

Jacob’s love of performing began when he joined a school band as part of his GCSE music course and has since set his sights on making a career in music. He has already applied to The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent.

For now, his focus is on the Care Sector’s Got Talent Grand Final, where he will perform in front of an audience of 500 people at Care Show Birmingham on Wednesday, October 7. The grand final will bring together eight finalists showcasing talents ranging from singing and comedy to rapping, musical performance and dance from across the breadth of social care.

Angela Boxall, co-chair of Care Sector’s Got Talent, said: “Care Sector’s Got Talent is all about celebrating the people behind social care and showing the hidden talents, passions, humour and individuality that exists across our sector. Jacob is a great example of that, and I can’t wait to see him take to the stage and dazzle us with his voice.”