A FYLDE singer who has had stars in his eyes since the age of seven may have got his first foothold on the ladder of fame.

Nineteen-year-old Kane Davies has become the first performer to get through the second set of heats in the Popstar Search contest being run by Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

There will tough competition, with another heat on October 11, and around 90 singers for the semi-finals on October 16 fighting to get through to the finals on October 29.

The Pleasure Beach plans to put together a group for their summer entertainment programme next year.

Kane, who pleased the judges with Your Song and Play the Funky Music, was always going to be a singer.

His parents Dale and Dave, were professional singers and for 12 years ran the Golden Ball Hotel in Pilling.

"I grew up in a singing environment and had singing lessons for nine years," said Kane who works in his dad's sign company Communicate.

His first love is musical theatre and Kane has appeared in amateur productions in Blackpool and Preston.

"I have always had an interest in musical theatre. When I was seven years old I would always like to watch things like Phantom of the Opera. It's brilliant, amazing -- and features some of the best musical talent.

"But if there is any form of musical performance I am happy doing it."

Among the judges who picked out Kane was comedian Tom Bright.

"When you see someone walk on the stage you can tell whether they have got a working act or not. You can tell immediately. But that doesn't mean that other people have not done it right."

The standard had been very high and some people had failed, not through lack of talent, but because they didn't fit the role that the Pleasure Beach was looking to fill. He had also had open arguments about performers with Amanda Thompson, Deputy Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and President of Stageworks Worldwide Productions.

"I believe in giving everyone a chance. I never knock anyone who goes on stage because it's so hard. Everyone who stands on a stage deserves all the applause they get and it's hard sometimes to say 'no thank-you very much'."