Starmaker's Got Talent returns

Judging the show were Radio Wave breakfast show presenters, Stacey Houldsworth and Scott Gallagher, and Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon.

Starmaker Performing Arts Academy, run by Elizabeth Hames and Natasha Kellett, offers training in dance, drama and singing

Elizabeth praised the night, saying: “The night was a huge success. The students were simply amazing! The judges made the night very enjoyable and gave fantastic feedback to our nine finalists.”

Performing his own original song, 14-year-old James Charles came in first place, winning a Starmaker scholarship and £300.

Second place was given to Elisha Sheppard, singing Rise Up, and Raine Walsh came in third, holding the audience’s attention in a menacing monologue.

The finalists weren’t the only talented youngsters on stage though, with fellow students performing a variety of acts, including abridged versions of Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz and The Greatest Showman.

Continuing the theme of success, the expansion of Starmaker’s Academy was also announced during the evening.

Opening their first franchise in Fleetwood, the new site will be based at Fleetwood High School and led by Lucy Spenser.

The Open Day will be held on September 1, but there are further plans to expand beyond Fleetwood. Elizabeth added: “It has always been our vision, to franchise the business, as we believe we provide a great service for children to perform, but may not fit the traditional ‘dance school mould’.

“We have a high ratio of boys at Starmaker, as our classes cater for those who want to perform, be it singing, acting or dancing. Following on from Starmaker Fleetwood, we will be offering the franchise package further afield and are on the look out for franchisees to open in the Lytham and Preston areas.”

n For more details about the franchise opportunity, visit the website: www.starmakerpaa.co.uk/Franchise