POP mogul Louis Walsh has compared a North-East pop wannabe to chart toppers Gareth Gates and Blue.
Walsh, the man who discovered Westlife and now manages top band Girls Aloud, has been giving his verdict on this year's entrants to BBC's Fame Academy show. The winner will get to live a popstar lifestyle for one year.
Two singers from the region are in the Fame Academy house - Alistair Griffin, of Whitby, North Yorkshire, and Gary Phelan, of Newcastle.
Speaking about Gary, Walsh said: "He reminds me of Gareth Gates.
"He should join a boy band. Lee, from Blue, is in trouble. They should replace him with Gary."
He added: "There is an unbelievable standard on Fame Academy, the highest I have seen on any pop programme. Attitude is the most important thing. But they have to want to be stars."
Walsh predicted that male singer Paris would win the show, which is broadcast on Saturdays and Wednesdays on BBC1.
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