A Bradford youngster is hoping to be 'the next big thing' after taking part in a new BBC talent show.

Josie Clough, pictured, of Little Cote, Thackley, is the latest singing sensation from the city to bid for national recognition and a career in show business.

The performing arts student, who reached the last 75 in ITV's Pop Idol, makes another bid for stardom, when she appears on The Next Big Thing, on BBC 1 on Friday, January 18, at 4.35pm.

She was picked from thousands of kids across the country, aged between 12 and 18, who sent in tapes and videos, hoping for a chance to appear on the programme and show off their talent.

The 16-year-old was one of the lucky ones, and will appear along with fellow hopefuls 17-year-old Barney Sykes, of London, Heaven Sent, who are Clare Young and Becky Wheeler, of Telford, and Aunt Stella, a six-piece indie rock band from Northamptonshire.

At the end of the show the studio audience chooses one act to go through to the grand final.

Josie will sing a song called Talk to the Hand, which was specially written for her by Bradford man Steve Christanthou.

"It is pure pop - that is what I enjoy," said Josie, who is studying for a Btec National Diploma in performing arts and dance, A level dance, at Intake High School in Leeds. She recorded the show in London last month and was joined on the trip by her mum and dad, Joanna and John, and 11-year-old sister Sophie. She also has a 19-year-old brother Christopher.

She said: "We recorded the show in front of a live audience, like Top of the Pops - it is one of the best things I have ever done."