FOR wannabe North-East singing sensations, it was time to face the music.

Auditions for the 14th series of The X Factor are taking place in Darlington today, and dozens of hopefuls have queued up in the town’s Cornmill shopping centre for a chance to appear on the hit ITV show.

Baily Gascoigne, from Darlington, said he hoped his audition would lead to a big break in the music industry.

The 16-year-old was looking to impress with a performance of Use Somebody by Kings of Leon.

“I got my first guitar when I was six years old from my dad, and I have practised and practised since then."

Baily was joined by his supportive grandmother Ann Barnes, who witnessed his first ever public performance only weeks ago when he performed for her 70th birthday.

“Every time he signs it makes me proud, I hope we’ll see him on the television soon.”

The show, which launched the careers of North-East popstars James Arthur and members of girl group Little Mix, has seen its ratings fall in recent years, but there were still youngsters keen to take part.

Bethany Smith, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, said: “Singing has always been a hobby of mine - I watch the show every year and I thought I would take the chance.”

Orrienne Edward, from Durham, was taking part to make her family proud after a “tough year.”

The 21-year-old, who described Adele, Bob Marley and Etta James as her inspirations, said: “I want to grasp the opportunity and go for it.

“I think my audition went well, obviously you never know because there’s a lot of competition, but you have to just do your best and see what happens.

“After the first song they put you on the spot a little bit and ask you for a second song, and because it was an open audition I didn’t really prepare for a second one.

“That was a little bit scary, but I tried to do what I could with it and hopefully I did enough.”

Nicola Howe, who auditioned under her stage name Positive Mayhem, sang How Do You Like Your Eggs In The Morning.

“I like the old classics so I thought I’d go for something different” said the 46-year-old, from Bishop Auckland.

“I’m in two local choirs but I’ve never sung on my own before, it’s all different.”

Angela O’Neill, from Darlington, auditioned for the show a decade ago, but decided to return for another shot.

“I’m a little bit nervous but I think everyone has some nerves” said the 59-year-old.

 “I’ve got lots of kids and I’ve never been able to buy them anything, so I’d like to get something out of it.

“I was on the show 10 years ago on ITV2. - I shook hands with the judges but I didn’t get any further, so hopefully I might get through.”

Applicants will find if they have reached the next stage in May, which will see them perform in front of Simon Cowell and the other judges.

Emily Dittmar, cast and researcher at the X Factor, said: “This is the first stage, and the videos of all the auditions will be reviewed by the producers, who will decide who sings in front of the judges later this year.

“You never know, we might get a winner from Darlington – we have had some successful applicants from the North-East in the past.”

  • Further X Factor auditions will be held at the Hillstreet Shopping Centre in Middlesbrough on Saturday, between 10am and 5.30pm.
  • For more on Baily Gascoigne click here