A TALENTED 21-year-old from Baildon will be singing his heart out as one of 100 judges on a new BBC talent show on Saturday night.

Musical theatre student Ash Stevenson was invited to take part in All Together Now, a six-part series hosted by comedian Rob Beckett.

The show is a singing competition with a twist - the judging panel is made up of 100 music experts and performers headed by former Spice Girl Geri Horner and including Ash.

Former Titus Salt School pupil Ash is one of the 100 who are tasked with standing up to join in with a contestants’ song if they think they are worthy of a place in the final.

Ash, who is in his final year at the University of Central Lancashire, said: “It was interesting to find out what made me stand up, it wasn’t just the singing but the whole performance. I found it really difficult to judge other people, I was still in a bit of shock and thinking should I really be judging these people? I knew I shouldn’t be too technical and be more entertaining because that’s what the public will want to watch.”

And he is looking forward to watching the first episode with family and friends this weekend.

He said: “I think it will be strange at first to see myself on television but I’m looking forward to it.

“Filming was intimidating, but there were so many people there in the same boat as me. I 100 per cent made some friends for life, it was like a big family.

“My parents and friends came to watch the filming and it was definitely comforting to see them all grinning in the audience, it’s nice to have that support.”

Ash, who auditioned for the show after being recommended to producers, said his love of performing arts began at school when he was about 11 years old. He traces his determination to succeed in the industry back to a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when he was 16: “The reaction was amazing, I was signing autographs for people. It was definitely a moment that stood out for me.”

Ash said he aspires to one day perform in the West End but added that he would be happy with any job where he was performing.

And his dream role is Marius Pontmercy in Les Miserables.

He added: “It’s definitely made me think there are going to be opportunities out there but it’s up to me to work hard and it’s down to a bit of luck too.”

All Together Now is on BBC One on Saturday at 7.15pm.