Simon Cowell's TV talent show starts search for next star in the Saints pub in Millbrook

Britain’s Got Talent has begun its search for the next Collabro, Diversity or Susan Boyle ahead of its 2015 series – and this year began their search at a Southampton pub.

Dozens of people filled The Saints pub in Millbrook in the hope of impressing talent scouts and making it on the programme.

More than 30 people from across the south sang and danced in front of a packed function room as they were filmed by the Freemantle Media UK production team.

But they must wait until February to find out whether they have made it through to the next round – on live TV.

The pub was chosen as the ideal location for the auditions after Millbrook’s Got Talent caught the attention of the show’s production company.

Many of the local event’s winners and runners-up returned to the pub to try their luck.

Landlord Eugene McManus said: “It was very good. I was pleased with some of the acts and the talent that we were able to put forward. I think the production team went away with the knowledge that Southampton does indeed have talent.

Stood out “There were a few acts that stood out among the rest, and I would expect to see at least four or five go through.”

The oldest performer was 70, while the youngest were Star Struck, a girl band made up of nine-year-olds Anna Wilson and Mackenzie Richards from Fair Oak and 10-year-old Maddison Croucher from Lordshill.

Eugene said the pub’s version, Millbrook’s Got Talent, will become Southampton’s Got Talent next year and auditions will open in March with a prize fund of £2,000.

AMONG THOSE WHO AUDITIONED WERE:

Helen Beeby, 42, an IT consultant from
Eastleigh sang Adele’s Someone Like
You.

She said: “I think it’s fantastic
that a local pub has got this
because it’s great for the local area.
I was really nervous, I did this about
five years ago up in Cardiff but it was
much better doing it in the local area.”

Jordan Cambridge-Mould, 12, a
Testwood Sports College pupil from
Totton sang On My Own from the
musical Les Miserables.

He said: “I
was nervous at first but it was really
fun. I haven’t really done this sort of
thing before. It was good because it
was nearby. If I’m chosen I think I’m
going to go bright red and faint.”

Carys James, 16, a Barton Peveril
College student from Harefield.

She said: “I was really nervous. I’ve
never don’t this sort of thing before –
I’ve done karaoke but not with my
guitar. I would be happy if I get it but
I think I need more practice
performing.”

Harry Watts, 15, a Sholing
Technology College pupil from
Sholing, sang Ed Sheeran’s
Thinking Out Loud.

He said: “I sing
a lot in school and I’ve been
singing for ages. I would be
over the moon if I’m chosen.
It’s my third time auditioning so
hopefully it will be third time
lucky.”

AJ Collins, 23, a dance teacher at Pure
Innovation Dance Company, from Bassett,
danced to a remix of Nicki Minaj’s
Anaconda and Jason Durulo’s Talk Dirty.

She said: “It was quite nerve-wracking. It
would be amazing if I’m chosen. I came
second in Millbrook’s Got Talent and
that was really fun. I would be over the
moon if I’m selected.”