A SCHOOLBOY will next week compete for the chance to sing live at the O2 Arena and become the country’s next teen singing sensation.

Tyler Lewis, from Billingham, Teesside, has got through to the regional final of young singing talent contest Teen Star and next month will sing in front of music industry judges including Dane Bowers and Annie Nightingale at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle.

The Northfield School pupil, who has been singing since he was nine, was put through to the regional final after a rendition of Let It Be by the Beatles wowed judges.

If he gets through the regional final he will compete in the area final, which includes the whole of the North and Scotland. From there he could compete at the national final at the O2, formerly the Millennium Dome, in Greenwich.

Tyler’s favourite songs are contemporary pop songs but the Beatles track was a departure from his normal style. He sings with local musical youth group BCT Aspire and recently appeared live on stage, with other youngsters from the group, with 90s pop group Dodgy when they played at Saltburn.