Charlie’s dreaming of fame

A HUNTINGDONSHIRE teenager is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Will Young and Leona Lewis by winning a recording contract in a national talent competition.

Charlie Hiett, 14, of Kingsbrook, St Ives, battled it out against 10,000 other hopeful singers and bands to secure a place in the under-18s semi-finals of the Live and Unsigned competition.

The St Ivo school pupil, who writes and performs his own songs, will go head-to-head against 15 teenagers in a bid to win a place in the regional finals on March 16.

The overall winner will record a track written by BBC Fame Academy finalist Lemar and Craig David's producer, Mark Hill. The winner will get to record his or her own album.

Charlie made it through to the semis after impressing judges during an audition in Croydon, where he performed his own song, So Sweet, and played the guitar.

The youngster, who is looking to set up a band, said he was excited but nervous about his forthcoming performance in front of a large audience in London.

He said: "I have been singing and playing guitar for about seven years and write a lot of my own stuff. I like everything from Oasis to AC/DC."

INFORMATION: You can visit www.liveandunsigned.uk.com to show your support for Charlie, or visit ­http://talentedcharlie.googlepages.com

n A ST Neots youngster has clinched a role in hit TV series Ashes to Ashes. Ten-year-old Zac Mahrouche was transported back to the 1980s for the BBC hit cop drama starring Philip Glenister.

The Eynesbury CofE Primary School pupil spent four hours filming his part in south-east London in November. His character cycles along a street, passes a corner shop and then stops to talk to a policeman.

Viewers wanting to catch a glimpse of Zac should tune in to episode six of Ashes to Ashes on Thursday, March 13, on BBC1 at 9pm.