DID you think that talent contests were so last year? Well think again. Pop Stars, Idol and Rivals might have exhausted your enthusiasm for watching potential stars on the box but there is no substitute for talent in the flesh.

Now Yates's are planning to launch a massive competition across England and Wales to find the new prince and princess of pop.

Though the idea came from the success of Yates's talent karaoke competitions, called Wannabe, this is no souped up karaoke gig.

The contest will consist of 100 heats at Yates's outlets across the country, leading to regional and semi finals and will culminate in a grand final in Leicester Square, London, featuring a celebrity judging panel (who'll hopefully be a little less brutal than the likes of Nasty Nigel and sneering Simon Cowell!)

The competition kicks off in February and two wannabees from Bolton will definitely go through to the next round.

You might think it is not the winning but the taking part that counts. But frankly, you'd be wrong. Especially since there is a whole heap of good stuff in store for the eventual winner.

This as yet unknown star will win £10,000, a record deal and a week of VIP treatment including limo, photo calls, helicopter rides and the chance to rub shoulders with the stars.

So keep your eyes on Yates's over the next month - and make sure that when the next big thing arrives, it comes from Bolton.

It could be you! Those who made it into the limelight

Will Young

Despite a dodgy start singing "Blame It On The Boogie", Will's jazz-influenced vocals won over the judges and an adoring public - male and female!

Gareth Gates

With puppy dog eyes and a crippling stutter, Gareth was bound to stand out from the crowd. And he does look cute in a white suit.

Liberty X

They were the flopstars but they had the last laugh - their edgy, flirty R'n'B styled pop has kept them in the nation's consciousness - and the charts.

And those who sunk without a trace

Hear'say

After such an incredible build up the bubble had to burst - giving Hearsay a close up view of fame turned nasty.

Korben

Who? Well, exactly. We thought he was quite charming when he made it into the top ten, but since getting kicked off first there has been little sign of him. He reckons that's 'cos he was outed as being gay. We think its 'cos his real name is Chris Niblett.

YMCA girl

Okay, she made it on to a Pizza hut advert but we don't really call that fame. Then again, if she gets free pizza for life, she's not done too badly...