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Canadian busker Phillip Nugent struts his stuff on the Has Reading Got Talent? stage at Broad Street Mall
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Has Reading Got talent? lights up Mall stage

By Laura Herbert
August 18, 2010

Hopefuls wanting a place in this year’s Has Reading Got Talent? semi-finals hit the right note as auditions continued at the Broad Street Mall.

Heidi McLeish, from Three Mile Cross, was first on stage on Saturday, entertaining the crowd in with a cowgirl outfit and modern dance routine.

The 11-year-old said of her audition: “It was quite scary. My dance teacher made up the dance routine then my mum and me found the costume.”

Street dancer Melissa Wilkins burst onto the stage at the shopping centre with her choreographed routine.

The 11-year-old from Tilehurst said it was “scary” to perform in front of the judges but said she was “over the moon” to be put through to tomorrow’s semi-finals.

The open auditions also attracted Canadian busker Phillip Nugent to perform one of his own songs.

“I wasn’t exactly 100 per cent prepared because I hadn’t heard of it until five minutes before when someone said I should check it out.

“I didn’t even know the song I was going to sing when I got up on the stage.”

The 25-year-old added: “I was busking behind St Mary’s when someone said I should give it a go and I thought why not?”

Talented individuals and groups who impressed the judges will perform again at tomorrow’s semi-finals ahead of Saturday’s final.

Guest judge on the panel was Louise Woods from Shinfield-based dance school Starlet.

She said of Saturday’s auditions: “It’s been interesting because on the other days we’ve had quite a lot of singers and today we’ve had quite a few dance acts.

“It’s been different to see the dance acts and some of them are really quite good.

“We look forward to seeing a lot more dancing and other variety acts.”

Of the semi-finals Miss Woods said: “It’s looking good, we have some very good acts. We have some people with guitars that have written their own songs, singers and dancers. There’s going to be quite a variety and it’s going to be very hard to judge.

“The standard is very high this year, I think it has gone up from last year.”

She added: “Reading has definitely got talent.”

The semi-finals start at 4.30pm tomorrow and the finals are from 11.15am on Saturday.

laura.herbert@reading-epost.co.uk

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Well done to everyone who got up on stage tonight,all worked so hard and a lot didnt get through,my love goes out to all to say good luck in all you do keep going never give up,remember readings got talent is a very small audition which is good for your confidence in future shows.To all that didnt get through dont let it get you down,as my belief is (ONE DOOR SHUTS ANOTHER DOOR OPENS). I was a little annoyed my daughter TANIA K didnt get through but i know in my heart that she has great things coming,shes amazing i see and hear all what she does,as her mum i can tell you this girl can sing anything from classical to r&b soul well she blows me away . I know alot of people came up and asked if she had links etc,so i will leave her links here. http://www.myspace.com/ladytaniak

also in ITUNES TYPE TANIA K (SONG CALLED) WOULDNT IT BE NICE(Her own song) My daughter writes beautiful songs with in a hour sometimes less,im a proud mum believe me. HER PATH IS COMING. She has many wonderful songs and shes working hard on album now so all that came up to speak to her watch out on her links . She leaves all on the myspace link above. I am also a singer song writer keyboard musician so i will leave my link too http://www.youtube.com/HAZELDOLTON2011 I was disapointed in the judges tonight. But there you go------------------- My daughters an amazing artist and TANIA K ONE DAY HER NAME WILL BE KNOWN WELL Love to all like i said keep going dont let one door shut to stay shut,keep on going through doors to your dreams.susan boyle got turned down lots for years,look at her now,like leona lewis also and mariah kerry too plus celine dion,all knocked back but look at them now,BIG STARS. WHEN TIME IS RIGHT THAT STAR WILL REACH YOU AND IT WILL LET YOU SHINE. MUCH LOVE HAZEL DOLTON

SERENITYROSE, READING BERKSHIRE
19/08/2011 at 00:59

Reading hasn't had talent since Oscar Wilde left!

dodger, south oxfordshire
18/08/2010 at 21:39

Ooooh Spanky - a pyrotechnics display would have seen you through to the final for sure!

Nowtas, Reading West
18/08/2010 at 16:32

I wish I could have set light to the stage when I had the misfortune of walking through the butts centre whilst this dross was occurring......

Spanky
18/08/2010 at 14:51

That Canadian has certainly got talent. I haven't listened to his performance yet, but yes - definitely talent...

Nowtas, Reading West
18/08/2010 at 14:10

Has Reading got mutants? Sure has.

Nimrod Maximus, A voice for the oppressed majority
18/08/2010 at 13:43

Has Reading Got Talent?

First picture is of a busker from Canada, which might rather answer the question.

Nowtas, Reading West
18/08/2010 at 12:33

Heard cluadia smith sing yesterday i thought she was great and will go a long way GOOD LUCK CLAUDIA x

go.kim
18/08/2010 at 10:16

I enjoyed Elivis on Monday ha ha didnt no we had another one in Reading bless him. What i saw Monday may me thing how brave they are to get up there i couldnt do it!!