HAVE you got the WesseX Factor?

Talented young dancers, musicians and bands are being invited to compete for the chance to appear in a star-studded variety show at the MayflowerTheatre in Southampton.

The WesseX Factor talent contest kicks off with local heats in October and November, with the winner appearing alongside a host of top acts at the Heartbeat 25th Birthday Variety Show on Sunday April 30, 2017.

Since it began fundraising in 1992, Wessex Heartbeat has raised more than £13 million to provide crucial improvements at the Wessex Cardiac Centre at Southampton General Hospital, as well as cutting-edge equipment, clinical education and research.

The charity’s chief executive John Munro, said: “Our Birthday Variety Show will be the perfect celebration of our work to date and an exciting start to the next 25 years of fundraising - and we want talented, local youngsters to be part of it.”

He continued: “Whether you are a solo musician, a group of street dancers, or even a band that practises in your garage, we want to invite everyone to our heats to compete for a place in the spotlight.”

The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir, which reached number one in the charts at Christmas with their rendition of Something Inside So Strong, will be on the bill of the Heartbeat 25th Birthday Variety Show.

Carnival UK, a supporter of Wessex Heartbeat, will also be providing headline acts from its P&O and Cunard ships.

WesseX Factor heats will take place at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in Southampton on Friday October 14, at Itchen College, Southampton on Friday October 21 and at South Downs College, Waterlooville on Thursday November 3.

The top four acts from each heat will go to the Final at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh on Tuesday November 22, 2016.

Acts will be charged £10 to take part in the WesseX Factor heats, with spectator tickets costing £5 per person. Tickets to watch the Final will cost £10.

All proceeds will go to Wessex Heartbeat’s work supporting local heart patients.

To enter The WesseX Factor or to buy tickets to the shows contact Ken Wilde on 02380 706095 or email ken@heartbeat.org.uk

Register to enter by September 23.