A TWYFORD teenager's music career has been given a boost after her debut single was played on a popular TV show.

Emilia Tarrant, 17, released her first song 'If You Want Love' on July 12, and it has already been used on the small screen in ITV's Love Island.

The Peter Symonds student's track featured for three minutes as backing music during an episode on July 28, which has given her hundreds more listeners and followers online.

She said: "It's surreal and very exciting! I have watched Love Island for a few years and have always imagined my song being played, so when my debut single was played it was unbelievable."

Emilia Grew up in Wellington, New Zealand, between one and five years old, before moving back to the Winchester area and attending The Westgate School.

She is now studying A-level music, A-level media, and BTEC digital music production.

'If You Want Love', which is a cover of NF's original rap version, is now number 17 in the United Kingdom Shazam Charts and has been 'Shazamed' nearly 13,000 times.

Shazam is an application that can identify music based on a short sample by using the microphone on a smart device, such as a mobile phone.

Emilia added: "I never thought it would reach top 20 in the first place! I'm absolutely shocked.

"Love island was a brilliant platform for my song to be played on as it has such a huge audience watching, so my Shazams took off after that - I am very lucky.

"It has been an amazing experience being able to release a cover of NF’s beautiful song and therefore I plan to begin releasing original music later this year, whilst continuing play gigs, and see where that takes me."

The song was recorded and mixed by Danton Supple, who has worked with a number of top artists including Morrissey, Suede, Coldplay and Ian Brown.

Emilia's manager, Jeff Powell of Big Hug Management, said: "This is a very big break for Emilia. I'm very lucky to be managing her, she is a little superstar.

"It's my job to nurture her musical talent, which she clearly has in spades. She will go far, that is for sure – this is just the beginning."

Emilia has recently been writing with other artists including Sarah Sheldrake, Helen Boulding, and James Walsh from Starsailor.

Her next big gig in Hampshire is at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth on August 24, where she will play the AV Rhino Accoustic Stage from 5.45pm.