Express & Star

Britain's Got Talent auditions in Wolverhampton - with VIDEO and PICTURES

They came in their dozens - a brilliant, eccentric and wonderful mix of people all hoping to impress the judges.

Published
Last updated
Candice Wilkes, aged 9, of Wolverhampton

Britain's Got Talent auditions arrived in Wolverhampton with hopefuls aiming to progress to the 10th televised series.

Singers, dancers, beatboxers, dogs and even a banjo ukele player were among those who waited at the city's Wulfrun Centre yesterday from midday.

An empty shop unit was turned into the temporary Britain's Got Talent audition centre for the afternoon with a talent team from Thames Television inside.

They ushered acts in one by one, interviewing them on video camera before asking them to perform.

John Hartley, of Wolverhampton,

Among those in the queue was John Hartley, an Elvis singer who is more often seen behind the mic at The Swan in Tettenhall and The Emerald off Cannock Road in Wolverhampton.

The 67-year-old Maltese has tasted success before, appearing on Britain's Got Talent televised auditions in Birmingham four years ago.

He impressed judges Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh enough to make it through - but was not seen on the television series again.

He lives in Smestow Street in Wolverhampton and is a retired foundry worker.

"I'll go in there and ask what they want me to sing, and I'll sing it," he said.

"But my favourite is Teddy Bear. Maybe I'll get the chance to sing that, yes that would be good."

He added: "Elvis is my life. I live for his music and sing it whenever I can.

"I get told I'm good, so we'll see how it goes today."

Rosie Holman, aged 16, of Wolverhampton, with her dog Misty

Another hopeful who has also previously brushed with the stars is Rosie Holman, aged 16, from All Saints in Wolverhampton.

When she was aged five she was a dancer alongside Liam Payne at Sedgley-based Pink Productions.

Now, accompanied by dog Misty, Rosie is hoping to make the big-time herself.

Rosie, who is to start her studying animal care at Rodbaston Collage this year, has trained Misty, a two-year-old Poochon, to do tricks.

The dog walks on its back legs, lies on his back and jumps high in the air.

Rosie, who takes her dog to Sedgley Dog Training Club, says her role models are Ashleigh and Pudsey, who won Britain's Got Talent in 2012.

Candice Wilkes, aged 9, from Tipton was also lined up for the audition.

Accompanied by mother Kim Lacey, she performed a song called Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys.

Having won a singing contest at a Parks Holiday resort, picking up £100, she put herself up for the audition.

She said: "I'm not nervous, I'm really excited. All I want to do all day is sing and this is my chance to show what I can do."

Chanel Dodd, of Tettenhall

For Chanel Dodd, it was luck she came across the audition after spotting them while in the city centre with her sister, who was getting a haircut.

The former Smestow School pupil, who is now a singer, songwriter living in London, said: "I walked past and thought, why not, it is an opportunity to shine.

"I'm queuing up and I don't know what I'm going to sing yet, it is all a rush, I can only go in their give it my best shot."

Carmen Irvine, aged 13, of Wolverhampton

Carmen Irvine, 13, from Heath Town, Wolverhampton, was also among the people queuing for an audition.

The Moreton Community School student had come second in the Low Hills' Got Talent this year.

She sang Yours by Ella Anderson.

Patrick Fisher and Emily Dittmar were among the talent team from Thames Television at the auditions.

They had more than 30 acts come through the door throughout the day.

Mr Fisher said: "I don't know what they are looking for this year, but we've seen some good talent today."

Ms Dittmar said: "We have seen a few which have excited us.

"I'm sure we'll be back in Wolverhampton again."