THEY may not have been queuing around the block, but those that did turn out still harboured dreams of finding fame and fortune.

Aspiring stars were at Durham’s Town Hall on Sunday as one of the nation’s favourite shows begins scouring the length and breadth of the country to find talented acts for its brand new series.

Among those seeking to impress talent scouts from Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) were freestyle dancer Josh Watson, ten, who has already taken the first steps up the rung of fame by winning Consett’s Got Talent.

His dance teacher Kerry Kirkwood, said: “Josh started dancing two years ago and goes to my school of dance in Consett.

“He’s has gone through quite quickly. It normally takes them a lot longer to get where he is. He is now premier champ which is the highest he can go.

“He is very talented, very flexible and a hard worker. He did his fast routine and the talent scouts were so impressed they asked for more footage of him doing his slow routine.”

Proud mother Amy Findley said: “He did well. We have to wait until February."

Sometimes fame comes knocking. Bryoni Askew, 14, of Shotley Bridge, near Consett, came to the attention of talent scouts when they happened on a clip of her singing on social media.

Waiting anxiously for her as she did her routine, mother Tracey Askew said: “Bryoni is in a local music and dance group in Delves Lane, called Music and Dance (Mad).

“After her last show one of her friends uploaded a video of her singing on Facebook, which got thousands of hits. It was put on YouTube too."

Emerging from her audition after singing Unsteady from the movie Me Before You and Jack by Pixie Lott, Bryoni said: “It was really good. They just gave me some advice on songs to sing.

“It was a shock to learn I had been scouted, but when I today they made me feel really welcome."

BGT team member Darren Hill said: “We had a healthy turnout. There was a really great mix of people.

"We had a nice steady flow of people throughout the day.

“We are hoping to get as much local talent as possible. We have had several fantastic singers from Durham, including an opera singer."

Successful acts will be in with a chance of securing a place at one of the judges’ auditions in 2017.

The BGT team visiting Middlesbrough between noon and 4pm on Tuesday, October 25.Alternatively, for more information or to register for an audition date, visit itv.com/talent