A TEENAGE singer is hoping to triumph with his first-ever band in the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent tomorrow night.
Jordan Clarke, otherwise known as JJ, will appear as one of The Luminites on the ITV show at 7.30pm.
And the 18-year-old from Margaretting jokes that if the band wins the competition, he will owe it all to the village's horses.
"We're rehearsing so hard at the moment I basically live with The Luminites, but home is where the heart is and whenever there's time that's where I am.
"I've always liked singing and it's something I just stumbled into really. It's something that has been in my family for so long. We all sing, be it in the shower or while we're cooking – it's normal in our house.
"I'm not too sure what I'll do if we win the final though," said the Essex lad, to which fellow band member Ben joked that JJ would have an army of support waiting for him at home.
"No, my only friends are horses around there. I'd say to them 'It has been an honour to have them as neigh-bours'," he joked.
Born in France, JJ moved with his three older sisters to Margaretting when he was four years old.
After attending Margaretting C of E Primary School, he quickly gathered a passion for singing, before gaining a scholarship to Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.
About two years ago, band manager Anthony Andrews approached him after first spotting fellow member and beatboxing busker Ben Francis on London's streets.
Triumphing with his first band, which includes singer Stephanie Edwards and guitarist Corey Layzell, the foursome's fame has rocketed since their prime time audition in February – which was aired last month.
JJ, who played football for Brentwood Athletic and trained at Chelmsford Athletics Club in Melbourne, said: "We're very nervous for the semi-final.
"We've been watching the shows so far and already the favourites are going out – so many great acts.
"We really don't know which way it's going to go.
"If we won it would be incredible for all of us as we've worked solid for two years now busking and touring schools." JJ's mother, Sharon, said she was very proud when his band made it through to the semi-finals from the audition stage.
"The amount of people ringing us has been overwhelming," said the 53-year-old, who added that they were one of the bookmakers' favourites when they auditioned. They are now fifth favourites.
The semi-final stage, which boasts 45 acts in total, will end on Saturday before the final the following weekend.
To find out how JJ fares in front of Simon Cowell and his fellow judges once again, tune in at 7.30pm to ITV1 tomorrow (Thursday)
