A SINGER who wrote musicals and performed for soldiers in the Second World War is hoping to fulfill her life-long dream of having a hit song.

Jo Masters, 89, has made the shortlist on a national competition to find songs for a charity record.

Sir Terry Wogan is one of four judges who will pick the top tracks out of 50 hopefuls for an album in aid of children’s charity Barnardo’s.

And Mrs Masters hopes her cabaret song written decades ago, called ‘House of Tears’, will make the cut.

The resident of Tanners Lane, Barkingside, said: “It’s very exciting, I wrote that song at my piano when I used to play in theatres.

"I love singing and songwriting and I’ve been doing it for a long time so it would be brilliant to be included.

“I’m looking forward to Terry Wogan hearing the track because he’s the greatest when it comes to knowing good records.”

Mrs Masters, who lives opposite the Barnardo’s head offices, was part of a double act that sang and danced for British and American soldiers posted out in the Middle East between 1941 and 1945.

“It was a lovely time of my life,” she said. “I raised a family of course when I got married and I couldn’t do it anymore but I have always kept the passion.”

Her song can be heard and voted for at oldiecomposers.com, and more can be heard at youtube.com/user/croozyVideo.

The history of Mrs Masters’s life is on her website, croozy.com/jo. The album will be created by Charity Goods, which raises money for children's charities.

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