Stars in waiting to shine at Capital’s theatre of dreams

THE glittering Edinburgh’s Got Talent final will be held at the Festival Theatre this year – the stage that played host to the Scottish auditions of the UK’s biggest talent show.

Judges of the competition said the move from the Playhouse to the 1900-seat Festival Theatre seemed “fitting” after Britain’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon visited the Capital last month for the Scottish auditions.

Edinburgh’s Got Talent, which launches today, has already seen three winners crowned. Entries will be invited to this year’s show in August, with tickets for the final at the Festival Theatre in October going on sale today.

Liam Rudden, Evening News arts and entertainment editor and head judge, said: “In the year that Britain’s Got Talent finally realised what Edinburgh’s Got Talent has known for years, it is exciting to be embarking on the Evening News’ fourth star search.

“Since the first Edinburgh’s Got Talent back in 2009, the standard of the acts has just got better and better, and I’m sure 2012 will be no different.”

Deborah Welsh, Edinburgh’s Got Talent judge and promotions manager of the Evening News, said: “I don’t expect judging will be any easier this year. We will continue to support and encourage local people to enter.”

The final on October 26 will see ten acts battle it out and will be hosted by Forth’s One’s Arlene Stuart. Other judges include Forth One’s Boogie and Richie Jeffrey.

The competition, launched by the News and Forth One in 2009, is open to anyone aged 12 or over from Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife. The winner will receive £1000 and will perform at the glittering Radio Forth Awards in November.

Britain’s Got Talent and new BBC talent show, The Voice, launch tomorrow night.

Tickets for Edinburgh’s Got Talent are available from the Festival Theatre box office on 0131-529 6000, or at www.fctt.org.uk

Past winners

• 2009 – Haughey McAuley School of Irish Dance. Brought the house down at Assembly Rooms on our first year.

• 2010 – Gavin Blackie. Had on-stage meltdown after his mic packed in. Was allowed to start again and ended up our winner. He sang Human by The Killers. Tension mounted as judges delivered a three-way tie. The public vote saw Gavin crowned winner.

• 2011 – Caitlyn Vanbeck. This little starlet from East Lothian, left, stunned the audience with her husky, mature vocal on her rendition of Adele’s Don’t You Remember. Hard to believe she was only 13.