Following the revelation that Shelley Smith, the bubbly single mum and X Factor contestant from Farringdon, Exeter, was going to have to do battle in a sing-off due to the newly established 'Flash Vote', shell-shocked Shelley told Dermot O'Leary on Saturday night: “I’m just going to sing my little heart out and try my best, that’s all I can do. I have so much more to give.”

And sing her little heart out she did, with a powerful rendition of Jennifer Hudson's One Night Only, a song in which she could display the versitility of her voice.

The 34-year-old mum and former van...

Twenty-two-year old Ashley Jeary from Pinhoe, Exeter has made it in the Radio Academy’s prestigious 30 under 30.

Ashley, who presents Live and Local on weekday evenings and the Afternoon show on Saturdays on 107.3FM Radio Exe, was one of thousands in the running this year and is the only winner from a radio station that is not part of a larger network.

30 under 30 is the Radio Academy’s national “one to watch” programme putting the spotlight on young and talented upcoming professionals from the industry.

Ashley said "I couldn't believe what I was hearing...

Exeter Chiefs 44 Cardiff Blues 29

Mark Stevens reporting from Sandy Park

A first half masterclass from the Exeter Chiefs gave them the perfect start to this season’s Heineken Cup as they blew away visiting Cardiff Blues at Sandy Park.

Rob Baxter’s side ran in five tries – four of them in the opening 40 minutes – to ensure maximum reward against the Welsh region, whose improved display after the break did at least glean them a try bonus point.

Skipper Dean Mumm, Matt Jess, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Ben White and Ian Whitten all crossed for tries, while Gareth...

Congratulations to Matthew Bird the winner of The Exeter Daily's Oxjam Exeter 2013 competition to win 4 tickets to the takeover weekend, which is taking place next weekend on the 19 and 20 October - the wait is almost over!

We asked: Which Exeter musician made it into the quarterfinal stage of BBC’s The Voice UK in 2012?

The answer was of course Adam Isaac

Don't forget, today is the last day you can puchase early bird tickets for just £5, which gives you entry to all venues on both Saturday and Sunday.

We can't believe it's almost here, can you? Don't miss...

A wonderful story of a young boy growing up in the Andalusían countryside just before the Spanish Civil War throws his life into chaos, this staging of Toro! Toro! , produced by Poonamallee Productions in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre, is not only fascinating for its historical context but also for its overall articulation of ethical and moral dilemmas. The dramatic effect of the one-man production is striking.

Gary Turner does a fantastic job, his enthralling portrayal of young Antonito bringing both laughter and sadness, and his Spanish accent remaining believable...

By Mark Stevens Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says his players should relish the challenge of tackling Europe’s elite when they kick-off their Heineken Cup campaign at home to Cardiff Blues on today (12.45pm). Having been given an initial taste of the tournament last season against the likes of Leinster, Clermont Auvergne and Scarlets, Baxter’s men are back for a second bout of the action again this season. First up are the Blues, who will arrive in Devon with a star-studded squad that includes victorious British & Irish Lions stars Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins, Leigh Halfpenny...

Report: Exeter City 0 Hartlepool 3

Exeter City were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat, as rampant Hartlepool registered their third away win in a week.

Both sides went in on the back of two wins, but it was the visitors that left happiest on their 350-mile journey back to the north-east.

City came under a lot of pressure in the first half and Pools went into the break a goal ahead, thanks to a Jack Baldwin header.

The game was put out of sight by Pools after the interval, as Luke James and Jack Compton both finished smartly to put City to the sword....

The nation’s number one singing show moves into its spectacular live shows phase on Saturday night (8.00-10.15pm). Kicking off the series - it’s time to bring out the leg warmers and strap on the shoulder pads as The X Factor embraces the music of the 80s as the theme for the first live show.

The families and friends of not one but two Devon singers will be whooping and cheering on Saturday night, as Shelley Smith, 34, and Luke Friend, 17, will be appearing on the live show this weekend having impressed the judges enough to make it into the X Factor house. Shelley lives in...

While the City fans have been rightfully enjoying the feel-good factor that comes about with a convincing derby win, the focus of the players and management since Monday morning has been to make sure that the supporters have another three points to gloat about for the following week.

The not-insubstantial proposition that stands in Exeter City’s way is Hartlepool United, who are making their 700-mile round-trip to St James Park just as the autumnal weather is arriving.

It is the second trip to Devon that Pools have made this season, with Torquay United being the first – a...

I have always had a fascination with Mexican culture, not least Dia de los Muertos , the Mexican Day of the Dead fiesta.

This festival and the Mexicans’ attitude to death, offers a very different perspective to our culture, which has become a very grey, ‘under the carpet’ affair, as opposed to the Mexican day of the Dead which is a colourful celebration of life and death, a remembrance of those lost.

I felt that it was something we truly lacked in our culture – death seems to be something we have difficulty addressing and coming to terms with – what this festival does is it...