HUNDREDS of people were given a treat at the weekend as the first ever Halesowen’s Got Talent was hailed an overwhelming success.

After overcoming initial sound teething problems, the event saw more than 20 variety acts battle it out at Benjamin’s, in Birmingham Street, to claim a place in the final.

An audience of more than 200 people were entertained by a wide range of acts, including circus performers, singers, comedians and different styles of dancers.

The judging panel, which included top Simon Cowell look-a-like Andy Monk, had the hard task of judging which two acts would make it through to perform at Halesowen Carnival and Music Festival in July, where the inaugural competition winner will be announced.

After much deliberation, the judges decided MYDC dance group (pictured below) and 12-year-old contortionist Harriet Littlehales, who performs with Danse Vivante, were the two stand-out acts.

Halesowen News:

Here's the performance from MYDC:

Here's how Harriet Littlehales made the final two:

Councillor Stuart Henley, one of the competition organisers, who is already planning on holding the event again next year, said: “It was a great day and a brilliant turn-out. All of the performers were fantastic and the feedback we have had on social media has been amazing.

“We were a bit concerned that people might not have known about the rearranged date as we had to postpone it for a week because of the snow, but we were really pleased with how everything came together and went as well as it could have.

“We must thank the performers for bringing their great talent to the show, plus the judges – especially Andy Monk, aka Simon Cowell, for stepping in at the last minute.

“We also thank Black Country Radio’s David Coughlin for hosting the show and a big thank you to the committee for helping to make this happen.”

Halesowen News:

The overall winner of Halesowen’s Got Talent will be chosen from the two finalists following their performances at the carnival on July 7, where they will claim the top prize of £150 and a video recording session, sponsored by local agency MW Promotions UK.

Cllr Henley added: “We are well underway with the planning of the carnival which will be even bigger and better than last year.”