A WANNA-BE Gwent Tot Idol has sung her way through to the final 15 of a national TV talent competition.

Nine-year-old Demi Holborn's big brother secretly sent a tape of her singing into the GMTV Tot Stars competition, and the next moment she was being whisked off to London to perform for the judges.

Little Demi, of Belle Vue Close, Trevethin, Pontypool, is the only youngster from Wales to make it as a finalist, despite taking up singing just one year ago.

Her proud mum, Louise, said Demi's 18-year-old brother Curtis had sent off the tape without them knowing.

She said: "They rang us last Monday to tell us, and the finalists were announced Friday morning. She had to go to London then to perform live for the judges in The Glades Shopping Centre."

Now, Demi is hoping that she will be the latest in a long line of TV pop successes - including Pop Idol Will Young, runner-up Gareth Gates and Pop Stars Hear'Say. Mrs Holborn said her daughter had made a success of everything she had tried since taking up singing. "She's always danced, but just over a year ago they were putting a CD together at school.

"I knew she could sing, but she's very modest and quiet and I had to tell her to let them know she could sing.

"She sang a slow piece in front of the class and then she went in and sang for her dance class - she'd been going there since she was three, and five years later they found out she had a voice."

The Pontnewynydd Primary School pupil then auditioned for a part in last October's Showtime charity concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

She was one of 60 successful children from Wales and appeared on stage with big names such as Atomic Kitten, Blue and Steps. Demi also trains with the Royal Ballet once a fortnight.

GMTV launched the nationwide search for the latest and youngest singing sensation more than three weeks ago.

The winner will get a recording contract with Universal and can take up a scholarship at the Barbara Speake Stage School.

GMTV will broadcast performances by the 15 children all this week and, on Friday, will reveal which eight will go through to the semi-finals.