Sam shines on BBC talent show

SAM GLEN gives it his all on 'Let It Shine'.

ROYTON actor Sam Glen certainly did shine on the BBC's new talent contest on Saturday, impressing Take That singer Gary Barlow with his incredible voice.

The 23-year-old former Our Lady's RC School pupil auditioned on Let it Shine in front of judges Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp.

The show aims to find five contestants to join the cast of a brand new stage show who will play the role of a boy band in a new nationwide touring musical that features the music of Take That.

The guest judge was Amber Riley, from the hit American musical drama Glee.

Sam sung 'Torn' by Natalie Imbruglia and will now go through to the next stage this Saturday night, where he will be put in a band with four other people.

Sam said he had suffered from confidence issues as he used to be six stone heavier ­- his mum only found out that he could sing very recently.

Sam said: "Gary Barlow said I had a cracking voice. It was really positive feedback. It was overwhelming to say the least.

Martin Kemp said he could tell I had a performing background, he said I used my nervous energy in a positive way.

"Amber and Dannii said they could see my passion.

"Performing in front of the audience was terrifying.

"The audience started cheering. The whole thing was a blur. It happened so quickly, it was incredible."

Sam, who started his training at Oldham Theatre Workshop at the age of eight, had a small role as an estate agent in Coronation Street.

He also played Curan in Shakespeare's King Lear at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, as well as having a lead role in World's End, a CBBC 2015 mystery drama.

He performed at the Oldham Christmas lights switch on in 2016.