A BUDDING radio presenter has pulled in celebrity singers to judge a talent show for young people.

Harry Carnaby, 15, of Delmar Gardens, Runwell, has persuaded East17’s Terry Coldwell and X Factor stars 2-Shoes to join the judging panel for Talent at the Towngate, in Basildon’s Towngate Theatre.

Auditions are now open for the show, which will be purely for under 16s to enter and organise.

Harry, who attends St John’s School, in Billericay, received funding to put on the event from charity the Swan Foundation.

He said: “I have competed in many talent competitions and I thought I would like to organise one.

“I am very lucky that Swan Foundation has sponsored it.

“The funds we will get from ticket sales will go to next year’s show and soon.”

The Swan Foundation, which aims to turn aspirations to reality, also gave cash for Harry to create his own school radio station, which is broadcast online.

He added: “I want to be a radio presenter in the future. I set up the radio station at school in April and run a radio club after school for younger children.

“I do it before school, after school and at lunch times. It’s all done live. It’s a lot of work, but I love it.

It will be sad to leave it when I finish school.”

Auditions and shortlisting for the talent showwill take place until December, with the event taking place in February next year. Young people can also volunteer to help with all aspects of putting on the event, including lighting and sound.

PamBrown, principal at the Swan Foundation, said: “Harry is an excellent example of what can be achieved if the right opportunities are presented, as happened here with support from the Swan Foundation.

“Harry has proved that entrepreneuralism, passion and focus are key ingredients to lead him on to a successful career in arts and entertainment.

The Swan Foundation is delighted to be supporting him.”

For more information, to apply for an audition or to help out, visit talentatthetowngate.co.uk or you can e-mail talentcompetition@allstarzagency.co.uk