Britain's Got Talent auditions arrive in Newcastle

Nov 10 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

TALENTED singers, dancers and entertainers from across the region flocked to Newcastle yesterday for their spot in the limelight.

Hundreds attended first-round auditions for ITV1 talent show, Britain’s Got Talent.

The auditions, held across three days at Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms, will see hopefuls picked for their chance to appear in the fourth series of the show.

Lara Dubov, from Durham, brought her children Santiago, 10, Katerina, nine, Ariana, six, and Tatiana, four, to perform for the judges.

The cute siblings sang Von Trapp-style, performing traditional song Scarborough Fair in harmony.

“I think it went really well,” said the proud mum. “They did a great job. We’re hopeful.”

Singing trio Absolute also travelled to Newcastle for the auditions, donning Blues Brothers-style black ties and shades. Andrew Bradshaw, 32, Graham White, 27, and James Smith, 43, from Stockton-on-Tees, sang and danced to The Outhere Brothers’ “Boom Boom Boom.” The group normally perform in pubs around Teesside.

“We’re going to rock Britain’s Got Talent,” said Graham. “We can go all the way. We’re in it to win it.”

Lauren Herring, from Seaham in County Durham, sang “The Wind Beneath My Wings.”

“I am really nervous,” said the 23-year-old. “I’ve never applied for anything like this before. But I have sung in other competitions so hopefully I will be ok.”

Celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan were not at this weekend’s auditions. They will appear at the second round, returning to the region in the new year.

In this year’s contest, millions of views across the country watched Scottish singer Susan Boyle shoot to fame. Eventual winners were dance troupe Diversity.