5. X Factor debut

16 years old and singing a very personal song she wrote herself, the Lincolnshire chanteuse announced herself to the world in X Factor’s class of 2012. Missed would later appear on her 2014 chart-topping UK debut album. Even Cher tweeted her approval of Ella’s cover of her Believe in a later audition. That acoustic cover appears on the deluxe version of Chapter One.

4. Dance collaborations and a first headlining tour

Word of mouth from Ella’s Take That arena support slot earlier this year was strong but here at monstagigz we decided to save our first live Ella experience for her 14-date headline tour which begins in Birmingham 25/10. Some tickets are still available here. If we had one criticism of that fantastic debut album it would be a lack of uptempo material but, lo and behold, what should appear this summer but new material – and a dance collaboration no less. We’re also not averse to a Glitterball (YouTube clip above) or two.

3. 2014 Xmas number 1

Not the official Xmas number 1 of course but the Xmas number 1 in our hearts. A simple piano backing and heartfelt lyric boasting lines like: ‘I feel like I’m ready for love, And I want to be your everything and more, And I know every day I say it but I just want you to be sure that I am Yours.’ Lovely. A beautiful old-fashioned ballad that wouldn’t have been out of place in the 70s. That Elton John must be fuming.

2. New single – and another welcome dance collaboration

Out 4/9 we didn’t know a great deal about Norwegian Kygo until we checked out one of our favourite websites. ‘Tropical house’ apparently. We like the sound of that. Are we going to get a new album of dancefloor stompers before the tour? We’d love to think so but would expect it will be more likely that this and Glitterball will feature on a repackaged Chaper One in time for Xmas.

1. Ghost

The debut single that kickstarted it all. A UK number 1 and hit across the world, including the US. Co-written by occasional Adele collaborator, Ryan Tedder, we’d like to think it was the song that put a spring in Adele’s step before the imminent release of long-awaited album 25. What next for Ella? Can’t wait for that debut UK headlining tour.