BOLTON actress Sammy Winward became the first celebrity to be booted off ITV's Soapstar Superstar.

The 20-year-old Emmerdale star came bottom of a poll by viewers, which saw her narrowly beaten by Coronation Street's Wendi Peters.

Her ousting meant that instead of performing a second song in front of judges, she joined them and watched her fellow contestants battle it out.

Andy Whyment, who plays dopey Kirk Sutherland, was left to fly the flag for Bolton - and earned glowing praise for his rendition of Rod Stewart's Maggie May.

After being voted off the show on Saturday night, Sammy, a former Turton High School pupil, told host Fern Britton: "I know I didn't sing as well as I can.

"Nerves got the better of me. I have been tired."

Sammy, who plays heartbreaker Katie Sugden in Emmerdale, sang Womack and Womack's Teardrops on Friday night's series opener.

Although her performance wowed judges, she failed to strike the right chord with viewers. The programme will run for the next week.

Before her fate was revealed, she said: "I really want another chance to sing again tonight. I don't feel that the audience have had a proper chance to hear me yet."

Sammy is currently on maternity leave from Emmerdale after giving birth to daughter Mia in June at her mothers home in Edgworth.

Andy Whyment was shown crying backstage after performing on Friday.

"I think it all just got on top of me," he said. "The adrenaline was really pumping."

But he had reason to smile after judge Cilla Black told him: "I love your voice."

On Sunday night Emmerdale's Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chastity Dingle, and former Eastenders star Nick Bailey, who played Anthony Trueman, were told they face the public vote on Monday evening.