LOWTON singer Martin Lambert was gobsmacked when TV star Jane MacDonald cruised into his fiancee's flower shop.

She had turned up with a camera crew on the doorstep of Amaryllis, St Helens Road, to surprise him with a spot on the BBC talent show Star For A Night.

After recovering from shock, Martin five months later recorded the show in front of the panel of four critics in November -- and the result can be seen tomorrow evening.

"Because of contracts I am not allowed to say what it is, but I hope everyone will tune in and see for themselves," said the 31-year-old professional singer and part-time florist.

Martin, who won The Journal-Leigh Hippodrome Stars in Their Eyes grand final in May has been a performer since he was seven years old.

And music runs in his family.

His father Tony leads the country and western group "Baton Rouge" and his mum Judy has a good voice too, but does not use it professionally.

Martin can thank father-in-law-to-be Ken Gregory for his appearance. It was he who sent in a tape of Martin's work over 18 months ago.

As a result of his acceptance he had to visit the Wembley studio on three occasions before the actual performance for costume fitting and song selection.

"It's only about 20 per cent of yourself actually appearing," said Martin. "The company selects what song you will sing and what you will wear.

"They put me in a white suit when I thought a black one would be better-- being rather on the heavy side."

He can be seen singing the George Benson eighties' hit In Your Eyes in front of the judges who included Barbara Windsor, Leo Sayer and Nigel Martin Smith.

Martin, who handles the floral arrangements for funerals to help his florist fiancee Jane, said: "It was a great experience. I love singing and have been compared to Michael Ball."

This week he won his heat of a big Blackpool talent contest at the Viking Hotel Star Trail 2001.

Song writer Martin who 10 years ago made no 2 in the American charts with his own song Please Remember Me, is still hoping his break into the big time will come soon.

He has produced his own CD entitled Stuck In The Middle which features varied tracks from Three Times A Lady to the hits of Robbie Williams and Take That and is available for £8 from the shop or ring 260164.

On Saturday Martin and Jane will join Jane's mum and dad, Ken and Barbara, and friends watching the show at their local The Noggin in Risley -- where Martin performs twice a month.