VIDEO: Teen hopes for X Factor success after mum sends off audition tape

A TEENAGER is hoping to sing her heart out on a TV talent show – after her mum secretly sent in an audition video.

Lauren Battersby is one of 100 people chosen from 3,000 Manchester hopefuls for the next stage of The X Factor.

The 17-year-old, who lives in Yarnfield, Stone, has made it through two rounds of auditions after performing a variety of songs for the hit ITV show's executive producers.

SPECIAL OFFER....Starwood Road, Lightwood. 2 bed detatched...

Family Homes 4U

View details

Within sale price, council tax paid for a full 12 months, plus £100 per month towards your gas and electricity bill for a period of 12 months, plus solicitors costs (ts and cs apply).

Terms: This offer will only be granted when full asking price is paid. Our own solicitors will be used. Payments will be split over a 12 month period. See website for more details www.familyhomes4u.co.uk

Contact: 01782 940281

Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013

And now she is hoping for an invitation to sing in front of the all-star judging panel made up of Take That's Gary Barlow, competition regular Louis Walsh, former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and N-Dubz artist Tulisa, below.

Lauren, who studies Theatre at Stoke-on-Trent's Sixth Form College, in Fenton, admitted she was surprised when she received a letter saying her application had been accepted.

She said: "My mum applied as a surprise for me. She told me she had secretly sent a video of me off and I'm really glad she did now."

Lauren, a former pupil of Alleyne's High School, in Stone, said: "I auditioned last year, but didn't even get through to the first stage so it really knocked my confidence and I took it quite badly so I said I would never do it again."

But over the past 12 months Lauren has been performing at a number of acoustic nights around Stone and recently landed a job as a singer at The Olives restaurant in Stafford Street where she works every Friday and Saturday night.

She added: "I have been singing ever since I was about 10 when I was given a part in a play we were doing at Guides. Since then it's all I've ever wanted to do."

Lauren has performed in a number of shows from Beauty And The Beast at The Rep Theatre, in Stoke, where she played main character Belle, to Hairspray at the Mitchell Memorial Theatre, in Hanley.

Her mum, Carol, aged 43, said: "Last year we queued from 7am until 4pm outside Old Trafford in Manchester and after all of that she didn't get through and I could see how disheartened she was and she told me she never wanted to do it again.

"But I decided to send in a video audition, because she has got what it takes.

"She is just as good as some of the people I have seen on there before so she's got a good chance of getting through.

"We're just keeping our fingers crossed."

Carol added: "We are both big X Factor fans and out of the judges, we like Tulisa the best because you can tell she really believes in her acts and does the best for them."

Lauren will find out if she has been successful by May before the show starts in September.

What do you think?