BUDDING singer Rebecca Goven still aims to hit the heights of showbusiness success despite being voted out of top TV talent show Pop Idol.

The 23-year-old was given a second chance to shine after previous finalist Layla Manoocheri was disqualified because she was aged only 15. Rebecca, who had been told she was not going through to the final was called in as her replacement.

Rebecca, who works at Multi-skilled Contract Services in Westhoughton, performed a version of Gabrielle's hit "Out Of Reach" and was voted fifth out of the 10 finalists by viewers.

She had presenters Ant and Dec in stitches after reacting to judges' remarks that she looked terrified during her performance.

Fiesty Rebecca, who has described Simon Cowell as "arrogant" and "full of himself" joked afterwards: "No wonder, when you go on stage and see their faces! They should put up a mirror and try to sing themselves -- they would be frightened!"

Rebecca travelled to London for the show with her boyfriend Stephen, and said she really enjoyed the experience.

She added: "It was great and I was more than pleased to come fifth. I could not have been with a nicer bunch of people and I will be keeping in touch with some of them. Ant and Dec were wonderful too, they are really nice guys and just like they are on television."

She said: "I want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who voted for me, and to my mum who has been really supportive."

The former pupil of Rivington and Blackrod School says she intends to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, but for the meantime will be returning to life -- and work, as normal.

She said: "I am just going to wait and see what happens for the time being. Being on pop idol was so wonderful, I just wish I could relive the experience."