A SINGER from Snaresbrook has beaten over 10,000 other hopefuls to make it through to the televised stages of one of the country's biggest talent contests.

Alex Hammond's version of the Stevie Wonder classic Lately so impressed the audition judges of South Coast Idol that he will now return to Brighton on Friday, February 23, to compete against 20 other successful musicians and singers for a place in the regional final.

Alex, 33, has sung in bands and on karaoke machines up and down the country, but his appearance in South Coast idol is his first shot at the big time.

He said: "If you can sing you have got to do something about it. I am not the youngest bloke but at the same time I would like to think I have got a voice and if you have got a voice you have to go for it.

"My girlfriend has been really supportive of me throughout this and I probably wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for her."

In fact it was Alex's girlfriend Liz who tempted him to take part. Alex said: "I have always enjoyed singing. It has usually just been on a karaoke machines but my girlfriend bought me some lessons at a recording studio and since then I have really got into it."

Liz also spotted the advert for South Coast idol and persuaded Alex to take part and wow the judges at the auditions with Lately. He said: "I am not usually a nervous person but I was really nervous in front of the judges, my legs started trembling."

Alex will now sing the Stereophonics' version of Handbags and Gladrags in an attempt to make it to the regional final.

The overall adult winner of the competition will win a management contract with record company Future Music.

The competition will be filmed and shown on ITV's broadband channel, as well as on Meridian TV, in the spring. Alex's progress can also be followed at www.southcoastidol.co.uk.