THEY might not have kissed Pete Waterman or had to put up with Simon Cowell's put-downs but the finalists in Bolton's Red On The Square Pop Idol competition will soon know what it's like to face each other in a grand final.

Becky Williams and Kate Guy will be joining six others to compete for a first prize of £100. The contestants each chose two songs, which were scrutinised by a panel of judges.

On June 6 the chosen eight will perform in front of Red On The Square's area manager and, most amusingly, a Simon Cowell lookalike!

"I saw him in the pub one day," explains manager Helen Dury. "I just had to ask him to join in."

Lets hope he keeps his trousers below nipple-level when he turns up lest the contestants be put right off their songs.