A PRESTWICK singer who has overcome extreme anxiety and depression has performed for over 700,000 viewers.

Alix Muir appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain during a live broadcast from an Ayrshire estate. Taking place at Dumfries House, the former Kyle Academy student who became socially isolated through anxiety when she was a teenager, performed a festive melody with group Musichoir on national television.

The stately home was saved for the nation by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in 2007, as part of a campaign to tackle loneliness and social isolation at Christmas and Alix provided a fitting tribute.

Musichoir was set up in 2011 by Neil Thompson and Susie McMahon, a husband-and-wife team with a strong history in musical theatre. From an initial membership of 23, more than 400 people have been part of Musichoir, which now operates in Glasgow and Ayrshire.

The 33-year-old explained the difficulties she had to deal with and how the group assisted her in becoming socially active.

She said: “When I was a teenager, I really struggled with anxiety and depression and stopped being able to do things socially, like going to the cinema. Even going out my front door was a challenge.

I struggled at school and couldn’t walk down the corridor because it felt claustrophobic. I would have extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn’t go on public transport and I used to find alleyways to walk to work where I wouldn’t be seen as I was afraid to embarrass myself.

Sometimes, I wouldn’t make it to work. I just couldn’t function which isolated me and held me back from things I would like to have done.

Alix believes that joining Musichoir has benefitted her over recent years and has assisted her in overcoming a range of mental health issues that had a devastating effect on her as a teenager.

“I’ve always enjoyed singing and heard about the choir in the local paper. I liked that it was based in Ayrshire and that no audition was required so there was no pressure. Immediately, I made lifelong friends.”

Alix continued: “For me, it was about pushing the boundaries of my anxiety and getting back what I’d lost. I feel that coming to the choir gave me such an opportunity, thanks to the support from Neil and the other members, by creating an amazing community and I gained a huge social life around it.”