A POP wannabe who has toured with Westlife is hoping fate plays a part in him hitting the big time in 2004.

Rob Sharples, 19, of Crosby Close, Darwen, had a memorable 2003 when his band FY8 were given the opportunity to perform alongside chart-toppers Westlife on a European tour.

The trio - which also included Chris Tolley and Gareth Cook - performed in front of thousands of young fans and were on the verge of being signed to a record label.

But when Gareth decided to leave the band - named after the postcode of their Blackpool management company - three months ago to follow other musical paths, Rob and Chris had to reinvent themselves.

Now renamed F8TE, a play on the word Fate, the pair are hopeful once more of getting a contract in the new year and of touring with Westlife for a second year running.

Rob said: "Because one person left we had to start all over again but we are hopefully supporting Westlife again next year so we will be able to showcase our three new songs, which are called Hot, Suddenly and I Call To You, with the aim of getting a record deal.

"Then as soon as that's sorted we will be bringing out our album. We have been on the road for the last few months performing gigs in the run up to Christmas so it will be nice to go back home and spend Christmas with my family.

"I haven't seen my sisters Catherine and Laura for about three months so it will be nice to see them. My family are really proud of me and my sisters are massive fans of Westlife so they were delighted when they came to see me on tour with them.

"We were introduced to Westlife and they seemed really nice guys."

Rob has been both dancing and singing since the age of 11 in numerous theatre and play productions but his main love is dancing.

He has previously performed on the CD UK tour and on the same stage as Atomic Kitten, Blue, A1 and Gareth Gates, who he came runner-up to on the BBC's Steps to the Stars show in 2001.

The teenager attended St Bede's High School, Blackburn and studied dance at Preston College.