POPSTARS heartbreak has turned into joy for Runcorn girl Nicola Roberts!

She became a last-minute replacement in the Popstars: The Rivals house when another contestant bailed out.

Nicola was whisked to London in a Mercedes on Monday morning for a TV show.

She show was supposedly about the contestants who didn't quite make it - but the 17-year-old was told live on air that she was going into the house by Dane Bowers and Hayley Evetts.

Standby

Nicola, from Langdale Road in Higher Runcorn, and a dance student at Halton College, had been put on standby after just missing out on becoming one of the 10 finalists.

Over the next few weeks, the girls will be whittled down to the five who will form the new band.

Despite backing from Geri Halliwell, Nicola had initially missed the cut after being turned down by Louis Walsh.

Nicola's mum, Debbie, said: "We are thrilled to bits, we are very proud of her.

"I was really shocked and you could see on the TV that she was as well.

"I was really happy for her.

"They led us to believe that maybe nothing was going to happen, but in your heart of hearts you still hope."

Debbie and husband Paul are now confident that Nicola will grab this opportunity with both hands.

"I know she will perform to the best of her ability.

"She will definitely give it everything she has got," said Debbie.