CROWDS flocked to a Southampton shopping centre in a bid to see the next star launch their career.

Westquay played host to the auditions for the next series of Britain’s Got Talent yesterday with hundreds of acts trying their hand at singing, dancing and comedic routines.

The ITV show is back for its 12th year, with acts being filmed by a production crew to be passed on to senior staff in a bid to reach the live auditions in front of the four judges.

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams will all be the next step for the wannabe stars.

As well as new faces, former X-Factor contestant and Southampton Solent student Ottavio Columbro also tried his luck, performing to the audience who then stopped the 26-year-old for pictures.

Ottavio was one of the more controversial acts as part of the ‘Bratavio’ duo, which saw him partnered with Bradley Hunt, another former Solent student. The pair saw themselves draw criticism as they were put through to the live shows in 2016.

Sherri-Leah Giddings, 11, and Rubi-Leah Giddings, 10.

He said: “I loved it, it was really good. I thought it would show a different side to me, I thought I’ve got to do something different and Britain’s Got Talent is all about being different, unique and to stand out.

“The crew member said ‘you make great TV don’t you?’ and the crowd were so nice when I walked on with those cheers, I thought I was going to get boo’s.”

Another popular act featured Southampton and Romsey sisters Rubi-Leah and Sherri-Leah Giddings as they attempted to secure a spot in the next stage with a dance routine – despite the music cutting out halfway through the act.

Rubi-Leah, ten, said: “I’ve been dancing since I was about three, so for seven years now. The reception made me feel like we did really well even though the music stopped; it was mum’s naughty phone.”

The pair only started practising their routine four days prior, and have featured in Mayflower performances of Aladdin and Robin Hood.

Onlookers were left bemused at the singers and comedians as the microphone was connected to the film crew, leaving the acts battling the noise of busy shoppers to be heard by the crowds.

Dan Mosaddeghi, 16, from Woolston.

One shopper said: “It’s supposed to be a spectacle, we’re applauding what people are doing, not what they’re singing or saying and I don’t understand that. How hard would it have been to put a speaker up?”

Despite the confusion, the louder acts were warmly received, with Totton guitarist Dan Goodchild supported by his sisters Jemima, 28, and Lily Hughes, 16, who also took to the stage.

Dan, 23, a carer, said: “It was nice, I wasn’t too nervous and just gave it my best shot.”

The winner of the show next year will then perform at the Royal Variety Performance.