IT'S the hit show which propelled opera singing maestro Paul Potts and teen dance sensation George Sampson to international fame and stardom.

IT'S the hit show which propelled opera singing maestro Paul Potts and teen dance sensation George Sampson to international fame and stardom.

Now an Ipswich radio DJ is hoping to be added to the list of discovered idols after auditioning in front of Simon Cowell on ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

Nick Pandolfi took to the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo to perform a comedy routine after striking an unusual bet with his fellow Heart FM presenters.

Breakfast hosts Matt Foister and Sarah Lilley promised to buy Nick his height in Jaffa Cakes - his favourite snack - if he appeared in front of meanie Cowell and fellow judges Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the hit show.

The trio had been discussing what scared them most when Nick - known to listeners as Panda - let slip that his biggest fear was performing in front of the Pop Idol supremo.

After wracking his brains for inspiration, Nick called pal Wayne Burns from Leiston Film Theatre who suggested the pair act out a sketch involving Lady Felicity Whittle - a fictional character who appears on his radio show every Saturday.

And after winning through the regional heats, Nick finally got his chance to show Cowell what he could do.

However, while he can not reveal how he got on, Nick admitted that Cowell was less than impressed with their variety show double act.

“He was really grumpy,” said Nick. “It was like being in front of the headmaster.

“Ant and Dec got it but it went right over Simon's head. He was perplexed by the whole thing.”

Nick and pal Wayne initially auditioned before producers in Blackpool before getting the call to strut their stuff in front of a live audience and the panel of judges in London.

Nick said: “It was embarrassing. It was the first time in my life I was really nervous. There were 3,500 people there and I thought 'what the hell am I going to do and is this really worth it?'

“We were on stage for three or four minutes but it felt like a week. It was an experience - but I am not sure it was worth it.”

The majority of his hoard of Jaffa Cakes will be given away to worthy causes, including a women's refuge and children's centres.

Colleague Matt, who had to fork out �160 to cover the cost of losing the bet, was shocked when he found out Nick had conquered his fear.

He added: “We didn't think he would do it.”

The third series of Britain's Got Talent, presented by Ant and Dec, starts on Saturday night on ITV1.

Do you deserve to appear on Britain's Got Talent? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Fast Facts: Britain's Got Talent:

Presented by Ant and Dec, it is a search for Britain's next best talent act, featuring singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts, and other talents of all ages.

The winner receives �100,000 and are given the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of members of the Royal Family.

Series one was won by singer Paul Potts, while dancer George Sampson triumphed in series two.

George's success helped to send the Mint Royale remix of Singing in the Rain - the song he danced to - all the way to number one in the charts.

Paul Potts' performance of Time to Say Goodbye famously reduced Amanda Holden to tears.

The judging panel is made up of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan. Kelly Brook appeared as a judge fleetingly in series two.