Britain's Got Talent is coming to Portsmouth

Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) will be heading to Portsmouth later this month to hold auditions for the next series of the hit ITV variety show.

The action will all be taking place over two days and is part of the programme’s nationwide talent hunt.

Successful acts will be in with a chance of securing a place at one of the judges’ auditions in 2017.

BGT’s executive producer, Amelia Brown, said: ‘We’ve had some amazing winners over the past 10 series, from this year’s champion Richard Jones, who was the first magician to ever win the show, right through to Paul Potts, Diversity and Collabro.

‘We can’t wait to see what talent your city has to offer. Anyone can apply – there is no age limit and we are looking for all kinds of talents, so if you feel you have something special to show us then make sure you apply, you never know where it might take you.’

The auditions to the show’s producers begin in Southsea on Wednesday, July 27, at 54 Clarence Parade, from 7pm to 10pm. The action continues the following day, first at Cascades Shopping Centre, in Commercial Road, from 10am to 3pm and then later at Little Johnny Russells, in Albert Road, from 5pm where open mic auditions will be held.

The show is open to any performer of any age, with any talent – all you need is a skill and star quality which they think will impress.

Anything goes from magicians to comedians, drag acts to singers and acrobats to animals.

Aspiring acts can also apply now via itv.com/talent and register for one of the audition days later in the year.

Hopefuls can also apply by sending in a video audition of their act.

Contestants to appear on BGT include Portsmouth-born illusionist Chloe Crawford, who reached the live semi-finals last year and Petersfield’s Michael Auger who was part of the five-piece theatre singing boy band Collabro, who clinched victory in 2014.

And last year local people were cheering on Portchester teenager Isaac Waddington, who sang his way to the final after wowing the judges with his emotional ballads.

Five years ago, The News got behind Rowlands Castle’s Herbie Armstrong, a singer and guitarist who toured with rock legend Van Morrison and played on four Van albums. Herbie, a pub landlord at the time, made it to the semi-finals.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the show with soldier and magician Richard Jones being hailed the winner.