Bolton's Got Talent with Peter Kay - Meet the 8 budding stars performing at our 150th anniversary show

The entertainers will compete in the final, to help celebrate The Bolton News’ 150th anniversary, at the Macron Stadium on Friday December 1.

Tickets will go on sale from 9am tomorrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

All the money raised will be donated to Bolton Hospice.

The final acts were selected from dozens of fantastic entries to our Bolton’s Got Talent competition by a panel that included Peter.

The original line-up was to feature just five acts, but the entries were such a high calibre that it was decided to have eight in the final.

They include two singers, a choir, a comedienne, an impressionist, a theatre ensemble, a dancer and a pianist and they will take to the stage in front of an audience of around 700 people at the Premier Suite.

A winner chosen on the evening will take away a £1,000 first prize, with £500 for the runner-up and the remaining six £100 each.

Peter, who will host the night, said: “There were some great entries for the competition and we think we have chosen a good line-up for the final on the evening.

“I am delighted to be hosting this event which celebrates 150 years of The Bolton News, while at the same time shows off local talented performers of all ages and will raise a good amount of money for Bolton Hospice, which is an amazing charity.

“Now is your chance to get your tickets and support a great cause.”

Ian Savage, Editor in Chief of The Bolton News, said: “There is a real variety in the type of acts for the final and I am sure it will be a great night, as well as a real boost to the hospice, a charity which is close to all our hearts.”

The evening will include a three course meal, entertainment from the finalists and then a disco.

Tickets are £65 each (or £600 for table of 10) and there are a limited number of VIP tables nearer the stage at £100 per ticket or £900 for a table of 10.

Customers will be able to book:

• In person or on the telephone with the Box Office (open from 9am Mon-Sat) 01204 520661
• Online on the Octagon website www.octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on

The finalists are as follows:

The Cottontown Chorus of Bolton has established itself as a leading barbershop group within the UK and on the international circuit – well known for their harmonious renderings of modern pop and rock songs.

With a great sense of fun and a unique style of entertainment, the chorus has gripped audiences during its history of 38 years and got our attention with an hilarious take on Queen’s hit Fat Bottomed Girls.

Chorus member, David Kitchenham, said: “Our close-knit membership of nearly 60 guys has a strong commitment to vocal and performing excellence. Cottontown particularly enjoys competing in both national and international competitions.

“Well respected stages around the UK including the London Palladium have given us the opportunity to wow audiences with stirring harmonies, emotional lyrics, exciting choreography and visual effects.”

Theatre Works teaches acting, dance and singing to more than 150 children every week across Bolton and Bury.

Founded in 2012, they are run by Lauren Bateman and Emma Matthews – two professional actresses from Bolton with a passion for the arts, teaching and young people.

Past shows include annual appearances at Blackpool Opera House, Burnley Mechanics, Bury Met and London's prestigious Sadlers Wells.

Emma said: “We are whole-heartedly dedicated to celebrating each child’s talents and to encourage them to be the best that they can be, no matter their age, gender or learning needs.

“Our whole ethos is about being fully inclusive and we have many children with learning difficulties and varying needs who will be performing in the show “We are super excited to be representing talent in Bolton and being part of this amazing evening.”

Jaiden Sayer is a 13-year-old dancer whose talent was spotted two years ago after joining a gymnastic class at Aspire in Westhoughton.

He went on to study ballet and tap with Aspire, as well as freestyle at Twizzles in Horwich.

He now also trains in ballet, contemporary and creative choreography at the Lowry in Manchester.

Jaiden said: “I am really excited to have been selected for the final of this competition.

“My dream is to become a professional dancer. As a boy I get ridiculed for dancing but I carry on in the hope that it will encourage other boys to know it’s OK if they want to dance, it’s not just for girls.

“Dance gives me time to escape all the people that ridicule and gives me confidence.”

Pianist, James-Ryan Stevenson, caught our judges’ attention with his performance of the Billy Joel song, Piano Man.

The 22-year-old from Deane said: "I’ve grown up around musical instruments all my life, so it was only a matter of time before I decided to pick one of them up and have a go.

“In school, I played the grand piano in the hall during dinner time and students would come up to me asking me to play the latest hits.

“I just love playing music and performing – there’s nothing more to it."

As pianist in a jazz band, James has performed in front of a large audience at Bolton Albert Halls – an experience he describes as ‘incredible’.

Carla Rutherford is a talented 13-year-old singer from Bolton who made our shortlist with a rendition of Live out Loud from Disney’s A Little Princess.

Carla said: “I have a passion for musical theatre and for the last four years I have attended weekly classes in drama, musical theatre, piano and more recently dance.

“I have also been involved in a lot of amateur musical theatre productions. One of my favourites was Hairspray where I played Amber.

“My dream is to one day be able to given the opportunity to perform on the West End stage.”

Sarah Louise Keegan is an optometrist who lectures at the University of Manchester and lives in Bolton with her husband and two children. But in her other life, she’s an accordion-toting comedienne with a good ear for a tune and a witty take on northern life.

Having learned piano from age four, Sarah added other instruments to her repertoire and even learned to sing opera, which she uses in her comedy act. Sarah enrolled on the inaugural Frog and Bucket Comedy Course in Manchester, where Peter launched his career and whom she describes as her ‘comedy hero’.

Performing regularly on the comedy circuit, Sarah has headlined The Opera House, Blackpool for BBC Radio Lancashire’s Comic Relief Gala and broadcast live on the John Gillmore show where Sarah is a regular guest.

Antony Booth is a 43-year-old impressionist who works as a primary school teacher at St Thomas’ in Halliwell.

His take on Bolton funnyman and lifelong pal of Peter, Paddy McGuinness, impressed the judges.

Antony said: “I first heard about the competition through Facebook, but didn’t really think I should attempt it. I’ve never done my impersonations in public before, but as a child would mimic teachers and sports commentators.”

Despite his initial misgivings, Antony plucked up the courage to send us an audition tape that also featured his renditions of Morgan Freeman and Sir Alex Ferguson and he is now looking forward to our 150th celebration evening.

He added: “I really was genuinely shocked and humbled to make it through to the last eight and be performing at such a wonderful event and in front of Peter Kay.”

Rachael Green made the shortlist with a powerful rendition of the Sam Cooke classic, A Change Is Gonna Come.

The 28-year-old Astley Bridge resident started playing guitar ten years ago and now performs all over the northwest.

She said: “I like to take songs and put my own twist on them. I'm really excited to sing in the final and being part of this competition will give me more confidence to get my own music out there for people to enjoy.”