THE hunt to find the next Sam Bailey, One Direction and James Arthur in Hampshire is on.

The Daily Echo can today reveal that X Factor auditions are coming to Southampton.

If you think your vocals could match those of previous winners Little Mix, or if you think you have the passion, charm and talent to become the next big-thing in pop music, then the X Factor wants to hear your audition.

Next week X Factor’s Mobile Audition Tour will be travelling around 43 towns and cities across the country and it will stop off at WestQuay Shopping Centre on April 2.

Should you impress then you can have the chance of auditioning in front of the likes of returning judges Simon Cowell, and Cheryl Cole when more auditions take place in the summer at nine cities across the UK.

This year the popular ITV Saturday night show will feature the return of Simon Cowell, who will deliver his verdict on contestants’ voices alongside Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and a fourth yet-to-be-announced judge.

Last year Hampshire’s Tom Mann, from Chandler’s Ford, made it through to the Boot Camp stage of the competition.

Another Hampshire connection is Southampton-born Matt Cardle, who won the competition in 2010.

A spokesman for X Factor said: “With so many auditions taking place this year, if you’ve ever wanted to audition for X Factor, now is the time to do it.

“Whether you’ve never auditioned, auditioned before but not got a break, or if you’ve already got a manager – we want to hear from you! All you need to do is turn up on the date and time specified.”

The mobile audition will be at WestQuay on April 2 from 10am to 3.30pm, or 4.30pm for those in full-time education. All entrants must be aged 16 or over.