Wannabes aim to shine for Louis

OH let me be the one Louis, let me be the one!

Shamelessly strutting their stuff at the first of eight nationwide audition locations yesterday, thousands of youngsters gave it their all for a chance to play the fame game.

The prize is a spot on Ireland’s biggest ever TV talent show: “You’re a Star”.

Presented by Ray D’Arcy , the judging panel will include, in the words of the promoters: “A broad spectrum of the most experienced and talented contributors to the music industry in Ireland,” which (Phil Coulter aside) includes, er, ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry (nee Katona) McFadden and Darren Smith, from Windmill Lane Entertainment. Very experienced and well known indeed.

Auditions began in Dun Laoghaire yesterday and move on September 12 to the Waterfront Hall, Belfast; followed by the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk on September 16; Metropole Hotel Cork on September 19; Hotel Europe, Killarney, on September 24; and other venues which can be unearthed by dialling 1550-717263.

The first 10 programmes in the series will feature the auditions held nationwide in the coming month. After each show, the public will be asked to vote for their favourite act to go forward to the next stage in the competition. Programmes 11-19 get down to the knock-out stage, where the public will be asked to vote from the finalists down to the “You’re a Star” winner.

Popstars supremo Louis Walsh, will join the panel for phase two of the show. Programme 20 will decide the winning song to be sung by the winning act in Eurovision 2003.

The winner will receive a record contract, management contract as well as representing Ireland in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest.

Hurrah!