Hairdresser Sam Church was back at work today after auditioning for pop band Hear'Say.

Sam made it through to the last 84 of the 4,500 hopefuls seeking to join the group, put together last year on the television series Popstars.

Sam, 22, who works at the Green House in Imperial Arcade, Brighton, at one stage thought she might be in with a chance of becoming the replacement for Kym Marsh.

She was spotted as she performed karaoke at the Toad bar in East Street, Brighton.

Doorman Joe Ifill heard Sam and persuaded her to audition as the replacement for Kym.

Joe was also among the security staff at the studios in Brixton where the pop wannabes turned up to audition.

Sam said: "Joe was brilliant in helping to ensure I got through the first section, which was based on a pre-defined look. I then had to sing and I chose Killing Me Softly.

"Some people did not even get past the first verse of their song, but the judges let me finish. I was then called back to sing again but did not make the last 12.

"I auditioned in front of Noel and Mylene of Hear'Say and they were absolutely brilliant. They put us at ease, saying, 'We know what it's like, we were doing exactly the same thing last year'.

"I have only sung karaoke five times before. My mum has always said I have a good voice and now this has given me the confidence to do more singing."

Joe, from Woodingdean, who is the cousin of Millwall football star Paul Ifill, said: "It was an amazing experience trying to control the 4,500 boys and girls who turned up for the auditions.

"I was offered money and some of the girls showed me parts of their bodies they should not have done in their attempts to get in for the final auditions."