THE tension and nervous energy at last night's third heat was obvious for all to see – and most of it appeared to be coming from the judges' table.

The 10 dance and vocal acts may have been put through their paces in the spotlight, but the judging panel had to cope with the arduous task of sorting the talent from the... well, talent.

From the moment vivacious dance act Fusion burst on to the stage it was clear that the audience at The Regent theatre were in for a real treat.

The youngsters earned praise from the panel for their well-choreographed and energetic set.

Guest judge Eric Potts said he felt out of breath just watching.

"But then I get out of breath grating cheese," he quipped.

Singer Shannon Mountford, from Tunstall, also wowed the panel with her rendition of Memories, from the musical Cats.

The 14-year-old overcame a recent bout of laryngitis to deliver a strong, confident performance with powerful vocals.

But it was another 14-year-old vocalist who caught the judges' attention, as Sam Bloor secured one of the two vacant grand final slots after overcoming his nerves following a slightly shaky start.

Theatre producer and judge Kevin Wood told him: "You're becoming a grown-up performer with assurance and talent", while Sentinel assistant editor Martin Tideswell described him as "Chesterton's answer to High School musical star Zac Efron".

Another young singer who stunned the panel was Jade Duggan, who, like Sam, was making her third bid for the Stoke's Top Talent title.

The 17-year-old, from Abbey Hulton, delivered a faultless version of Jordin Sparks's hit This Is My Now to snatch the second place in the final.

Eric Potts told Jade he forgot to fill in his score sheet because he was enjoying her "phenomenal performance" so much.

Michael Jackson impersonator Darren Cyples delivered his best-ever performance, delighting himself as much as the judges and spectators.

His trick of leaning forward to a gravity-defying degree earned him loud applause.

And street dancers Reflex, who all train in Fenton, demonstrated some jaw-dropping break-dancing skills as part of their polished routine.

Then it was time for a change of tempo, with a harmonious piano and vocal duet from Newcastle's Gareth Ridge and Georgina Challinor.

If there was a special award for Stoke's Top Gentleman, it would surely have gone straight to Frank Sinatra fan Graham Horne, who dazzled with Mack The Knife.

Even compere Jonathan Wilkes was spotted dancing and singing along to Graham back-stage.

The last singing act of the night was trainee nurse Carly Stanford, from Oulton, who sang an almost note-perfect version of Sinead O'Connor's melancholy hit Nothing Compares 2 U.

Kevin Wood described her as "sassy and edgy", while Martin Tideswell felt she was the surprise package of the night.

And dance troupe Candyman, from Sneyd Green, provided the perfect end to the proceedings when they strutted through their unusual but well-choreographed commercial jazz set.

Given the level of talent on show, it was hardly surprising that this heat led to the first split decision from the judges in the history of the contest.

If this was anything to go by, tomorrow's grand final should be an amazing spectacle.

Don't miss coverage of heat four in tomorrow's

Sentinel