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Brave: Nikki Stook

A wannabe pop star is gearing up to come face-to-face with TV personality Simon Cowell.

Nikki Stook, exhibitions co-ordinator at Newsquest Oxfordshire, will join hundreds of hopefuls for a nail-biting X Factor audition in Birmingham tomorrow.

The 34-year-old from Botley will attempt to wow the famous panel of talent spotters with her rendition of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out For A Hero.

Miss Stook said: "I'm really excited about it, but a little bit worried as well because I've got tonsilitis this week - but I'm going to go and hopefully I'll get the sympathy vote."

She said she frequently hogged the microphone at karaoke nights in pubs and bars across the county all through her 20s.

"I just love singing and karaoke. I used to hunt karaoke nights out and go to one every weekend. I love the buzz of it," she said.

"I think singing runs in the family because my sister loves it too and my daughter Lauren has a beautiful voice."

The mother-of-one, who has never had a singing lesson, was picked from thousands to audition after a colleague sent off an application form on her behalf last year.

She has been rehearsing her chosen track for the past two weeks in preparation for the audition at Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa Football Club.

She said: "Normally my songs are quite slow, so this time I thought I would choose something that really gets them all going.

"I recently heard Simon Cowell hates that song, but I'm still going to do it.

"He's my favourite and I really want to hear what he thinks of my voice.

"I know I won't win, but it will be good to get some feedback."

Miss Stook first realised her talent when she belted out Grease favourite You're The One That I Want to pub-goers at the Bay Tree in Grove, aged 19. She said: "A lot of people just said I was really, really good and everyone clapped and cheered. I got really emotional and cried.

"I got stage fright at a competition at Minchery Farm when I was about 20.

"My whole body was shaking and no voice came out when I opened my mouth - but I don't think it will happen again."

She added: "My dream is to get rich through singing."

6:48am Saturday 17th May 2008

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