WANNABE pop stars from the South have their chance to bask in the spotlight tonight as ITV's hit new series Popstars shows the auditions held in Southampton, London and Manchester.

The 13-part series follows the quest to find, build and launch a pop band.

It is based on the hugely successful Australian show that was responsible for unleashing all-girl band Bardot.

After the Australian series, Bardot's single was one of the most-anticipated releases of 2000 and, riding the wave of publicity, Poison debuted at number one.

The band, which named itself after movie star Brigitte Bardot, lost steam without the television series and came under intense criticism from within music circles for being a manufactured outfit.

But it was a ratings winner, becoming the number one show in 11 of the 13 weeks it aired, and became a topic of conversation at office water-coolers around the nation.

A spokesman for LWT, which produces Popstars, said tonight's instalment showed the auditions "drawing bigger crowds and a higher quality of performance".

The judges having to endure the karaoke night from hell are LWT head of light entertainment Nigel Lythgoe, Paul Adam from Polydor Records, and Billie Piper's manager, Nicky Chapman.

Popstars is on Meridian tonight at 5.55pm.