She may not have won the chance to perform at the London Coliseum but Hove soprano Debbie Bridge is content to be the Liberty X of the opera world.

Blink and you may miss Debbie's appearance on Channel 4's reality television show Operatunity tonight.

But despite only appearing in the show for a few seconds, Debbie has no reason to be bitter.

While other wannabe opera divas from the show are waiting for the phone to ring with job offers, Debbie's career is already well underway.

Her success mirrors that of Liberty X who went on to chart success despite losing out to Hear'Say in the final of TV's Pop Stars.

Since October she has been performing in a production of Carmen, touring with Welsh company Operabox.

Debbie won a place in the company in August last year, a couple of months after filming Operatunity.

Although judges on the show were complementary of Debbie's singing, she was disappointed to have been edited out of last Tuesday's show.

Programme-makers have sent her a letter saying she will only be included in tonight's show for "a few seconds on a couple of occasions."

Debbie said: "I am slightly annoyed not to have been included in the programme because, at the end of the day, the reason I applied was to have some exposure.

"But my dream has come true anyway, despite what happened on Operatunity. I have always wanted to make singing my career and now it is so I am a happy woman."

Debbie is not the only unsung star from the show.

Father-of-two Tim Crouch, 37, from Cooksbridge, was also missed out of last week's show although he expects to make an appearance tonight.

Like Debbie, Tim has been singing out despite his experience on Operatunity.

The salesman is an active member of Lewes group, Heber Opera.

He said: "I was only in background shots last week but I have been told to expect more from tonight's show.

"I am always striving for recognition so it would be great if I was contacted by somebody who saw me on the show. But no matter what happens I will keep on singing at a local level."

Tonight's show will also feature West Sussex builder Ted Jackson and Brighton law student George Ikediashi as the 20 hopefuls are whittled down to six finalists.

The overall winner will sing on the stage of the London Coliseum alongside professional opera singers next month.