CHRISTCHURCH-based drama and elocution teacher Tina Witham has revealed she is responsible for curing X Factor sensation Chloe-Jasmine Whichello’s lisp and helping her speak the perfect Queen’s English that got TV viewers talking this week.

But she is angered that the media has been ridiculing the model-turned singer for being ‘posh’ even though she wowed judges with a dazzling blues-soaked performanceCanford School in Wimborne, Dorset, which is set in over 250 acres of grounds on the banks of the River Stour and features a boathouse for rowing, a 294-seat theatre seating and an art gallery. when she was heavily featured in the opening show of the new X-Factor series.

Tina taught Chloe elocution at The Park – a private primary school in Bournemouth as well as drama at Swish of the Curtain Theatre School – even performing in their production of Fame at Bournemouth Pavilion, and recalls: “She was a lovely enthusiastic, sparkly child. She’s highly intelligent and very effervescent.”

“I’m proud of helping her and although I haven’t watched it [X-Factor] as I was away in France, Simon thanked me as her elocution teacher!”

Chloe, 24, has been quoted in the press as saying: “When people meet me they always say, ‘You are the poshest girl I’ve ever met in my life’.”

And prior to her speech therapy she explains: “I literally couldn’t even formulate a sentence my lisp was so bad. It was terrible actually because I was too scared to speak.”

The singer says boarding school and her modelling career have also helped to cement her speech, adding: “If people think it’s posh I am really sorry. I am not royalty.”

Tina is delighted to have helped make such a difference for Chloe when she was ten/11-years-old: “Chloe was always confident but she would occasionally get upset about her speech and even cried. But she worked terribly hard daily to cure her lisp.

“I believe so strongly in good speech – to be able to communicate clearly is vital in whatever profession one chooses.

“Words as I always say are ‘delicious’ and children should enjoy speaking our wonderful language.

“It annoys me when people say you are posh because you speak well. Clarity in speech has nothing to do with money or education it’s to do with using the correct formation of the sounds.

“So although Chloe was quite posh that should not have been an issue – Chloe has learnt to form her sounds clearly and with expression and I’m so proud to have helped her to do that and when she sings the sounds are correctly formed too!”

It annoys Tina that the media have been confusing good speech with being ‘posh’. In fact, the national press have gone into extraordinary detail about her upbringing and financial circumstances.

Articles make reference to her ‘blue blood’ and the fact she attended £31,000- a-year Canford School in Wimborne.

They even carry pictures of the school and the house her parents have now moved to in Wells, stating houses in the street are valued between ‘£350,000 and £500,000’. There are other articles that question whether it is all an act!Canford School in Wimborne, Dorset, which is set in over 250 acres of grounds on the banks of the River Stour and features a boathouse for rowing, a 294-seat theatre seating and an art gallery.

“Her parents were well off and she had an excellent upbringing. She hasn’t tried to be other than she is. I felt it was hard for her as a child as she was different to the other children – very clever and imaginative.

“I managed to cure her lisp and she went on to train at Swish with me and it was obvious her singing was excellent and that she had talent.”

In fact Chloe has taken to social media with the message: ‘Miracle worker Tina Witham... the tip of the tongue, the teeth, the lips x’ And to Tina, who now teaches Chloe’s cousin, the singer sent this message this week: “I initially had classes when I was 11- it’s madness isn’t it!

“My cousin adores your tuition.

“Thank you for inspiring so many.”

Now, judging by the reaction of all four judges, Chloe should continue to do well with X Factor.

Tina added: “I’m not a believer in quick stardom – the journey is important, but I believe Chloe is one of those people who will thrive. She is a good actress, singer and has excellent diction – all three things you need!”