WOULD-BE popstar Kevin Simm today vowed not to lose touch with reality if his new group hits the big time and said: "We could even play my parent's pub!"

Kevin failed to reach the final five in the hit ITV show Popstars --who have now become hit band Hearsay -- but he is still on course to realise his dream.

And today he told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph there was one venue in particularly he would love to appear at with his bandmates.

Where most superstars have ambitions of packing Wembley to its rafters, or bringing the Manchester Arena to its knees, Kevin, who has formed a rival band to that chosen by the judges, said he would love to play at the Royal Hotel, in Bolton Road, Abbey Village. He used to sing at the pub, run by parents Stephen and Bernadette, before he hit the fame trail.

Kevin has formed a band with his four fellow contestants who failed to make it into the final band on the programme Popstars and is spending most of his time in London while the band looks to secure a record deal.

A programme, Nearly Popstars, following their exploits, is to be shown next Wednesday.

Kevin, 20, comes home to East Lancashire as much as he can and said: "I wouldn't mind playing at the pub at some point. If there was a karaoke on I might get up to have a sing and it would be nice if the band went there,but I don't think my mum and dad could afford the fee!"

The band are still thinking of a name and have met record companies to hammer out a deal best for them. Because they were not the TV show's first choice, Kevin said a lot of the pressure was off them. He said: "We have a lot more freedom than the other band and a choice of what music we are going to do. We're not aiming to be an out and out in-your-face pop band. We want to do something a bit more cool."

The chosen band, who have named themselves Hearsay, release their first single on March 12, and Kevin wished them luck. But he added he wasn't a big fan of their name.

He said: "I think it will grow on me but I'm not quite sure although I don't really care what they are called."

Nearly Popstars will be on ITV next Wednesday at 9pm.