Forget Britain's Got Talent - for Bolton people have it in abundance!

This month, the town will be hosting Stars for a Night to showcase the exceptional talents of Boltonians.

Bolton has a strong track record for producing amazing talent.

The likes of Sir Ian McKellan, Peter Kay, Sophie Willan and Paddy McGuiness all grew up here.

BACKUP Northwest set the challenge of finding hidden talent in Bolton and launched Stars for a Night 2023 on what will become an annual event.

Some amazing audition entries were received from all over Bolton, and 11 acts have made it through progress through to final auditions to win themselves a place in the live final.

The independent judges in the final auditions were Mark Fry (Newsquest), Becci Martin (Boo Consulting), Ed Hamer (The Octagon) and Jessica Kavanagh (Markland Hill CP School). All judges were so impressed with the performances and the level of talent in the room.

On the evening itself, Will Edgar who narrowly missed winning the finals of The Voice Kids UK will open the night.

Local singers and comedians compete to win £250 plus a PR Consultation and the chance to perform at The BACKUP Annual Charity Ball at The Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday 16th March 2024.

There is a wide variety of acts, which include students and members of performing arts clubs and colleges with some acts performing at local events and festivals.

The acts are aged between 13 and 60 years old performing comedy, music and song.

It will be a fun night out for all.

BACKUP CEO Maura Jackson will be the host and would love to see the Bolton community be cheerleaders for young and emerging talent across the town so the audience can make them feel a million dollars.

The finalists who are singers and comedians are: Adam Anwar, Amelia Phipps, Grace Greenhalgh, Kallea McKee, Kevin O’Brien, Liam Martin, Lily Smethurst, Lizzie Ann Crowther, Simi Adebanjo, Skyler Kempt and Wareh Sallah.

The talent show is facilitated by BACKUP North West and supported by the Bolton News and Bolton FM, as media partners.

Richard Duggan (editor) will be one of the judges in the live final along with other independent judges.

An event not to be missed as we celebrate the up and coming local stars and prove that Bolton’s Got Talent!

To reserve your place on the evening visit https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CPMX or email stars@backup-charity.org.uk.

Tickets are £30 and include arrival drink, meal, entertainment and a charity raffle.

All profits raised on the night will support BACKUP North West on their mission to end homelessness. They support vulnerable young people to overcome homelessness by providing furnished accommodation and tailored levels of support, which include emotional and practical help with all areas of safer, healthier independent living.