Simon Cowell’s hunt for the next winner of Britain’s Got Talent has unearthed more than 150 would-be stars in the farthest flung corners of the UK.
For the first time the makers of the hit show held auditions in the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney, believing that the next big star could be in the islands.
But the performers at the weekend island heats will not face Mr Cowell’s piercing judgement unless they make it to the main Scottish auditions in Edinburgh in January.
There were more than 40 auditions in Orkney, 25 in Shetland and a similar number in Stornoway. In addition, Inverness turned up more than 60 acts.
Among those auditioning in Stornoway were odd couple Acqua Jane and Dolores – real names Jane and Dionne Murrell from the village of Keose.
Jane, an artist who is in her 50s, is a singer/songwriter while Dionne, 69, is her backing singer.
They performed one of Jane’s numbers You Defrost My Heart at One Million Degrees and The Kinks’ Days.
“I’m the one the 60s missed,” said Jane. “I have written 13 songs, have my own CD called Change at Lewis and also written a musical.
“We are going to try and win it, but we are also going to enjoy the ride. My songs are quite folky and I think quite good.
“Our winters are so boring up here so we were very glad when BGT decided to come to Lewis.
“We thought the mountain has come to Muhammad and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Also appearing was a group of eight girls from the Sharon Mackinnon School of Dancing who put a Highland spin on Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off and Jessie J’s Bang Bang.
“They have had a great time getting glammed-up. It would be great if they got through to Edinburgh or Glasgow,” said Ms Mackinnon.
Casting director Jake Court said: “Orkney was really fruitful. We even had an 84-year-old tap dancing granny. We have had singers, dancers, fiddlers, comedians – you name it. There’s definitely a lot of potential.”
Mr Court said that each act was videoed and the full casting team will decide who to call to the main auditions in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
He added: “But Simon Cowell will not see any of the videos. He does not see anything until the acts appear on stage so that it is a surprise to him as anybody else.
“Somebody ultimately has to win the show – why not somebody from the Scottish islands?”