A Langho musician, who once appeared on the X Factor, has helped to create the official anthem for the European Athletics Championships.

Grace Davies has released Illuminate today (April 18), the official 2024 championship track. She wrote the track with Ben Lythe and Paul Whalley. She and Paul produced the track and it was mastered at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.

The 27-year-old, who was runner-up in the 2017 series of The X Factor, said she was excited to have been approached with the oppourtunity.

She said: “I was so flattered to have been approached to provide the official song for the European Athletics Championships, not only as an artist but also as a writer.

“There is a huge amount of trust there and it is a real privilege to be granted such a massive opportunity.

“I feel very lucky and can’t wait to hear this song soundtrack such an inspiring event across Europe and beyond.”

Grace said the team behind the anthem remembered her from the X Factor and her song Roots, which she sang on the show and re-released in 2021.

She said: “The guy who was sorting it was a big fan of me and Roots. He wondered what I was up to and saw that I was still producing music.

“He said his dream scenario was to work with me which was a massive compliment.

“It’s mad for me to realise what an audience I have even seven years [after appearing on the X Factor] and that people want to work with me.

“Roots is the gift that keeps on giving. This week I saw it going viral on TikTok as people have used it as their first dance at a wedding. It has also been used on television in the past.

“It constantly brings attention to my profile. It’s such a special song.”

Illuminate is described as an anthem that is “poised to become the rallying cry for many athletes and fans alike”.

Grace said it is she can relate to the pressure and adrenaline that the athletes are feeling, thanks to her experience on the X Factor.

The former St Leonard's CE Primary School pupil said: “I can definitely relate to the song. I am not an athletic person at all but I have had that complex shared experience.

“I hope we have made something that is going to inspire the thousands of athletes competing and narrate their experience through the good and the bad - something I can relate to.

“It was great to hear [producers] say ‘you’ve been on a TV show you understand what it’s like to have one shot to perform.”

Featuring pulsing piano, drums, and a tense build-up to a euphoric chorus, the track is said to “propel the listener through an emotional journey” akin to that of an athlete giving their all to train, sacrifice, and perform for the ultimate prize.

Outside of the athletics song, Grace has been busy working on an album, more details of which will be released at a later date.

She said: “I have a busy year of releases ahead, and this is a spectacular way to kick things off. I feel very lucky and can’t wait to hear this song soundtrack such an inspiring event across Europe and beyond.”

Team GB athlete Holly Mills, a heptathlete who will compete in Rome between June 7 and 12, was at Abbey Road Studios to witness the final mastering of the track.

She said:  “The song really blew my mind.

“Grace’s voice is incredible, and it has so much energy behind it. It is going straight on my running playlist.”

Grace said: “This is a golden ticket oppourtinity. 2024 is going to be so big for me and a wicked way to kick-start a year of releases. It’s been a while since I put any music out and I have been absent from social media.

“It’s a grand way to come back and I am super grateful for the opportunity. It’s the start of a busy year.”

You can stream Illuminate on music streaming platforms from April 18.