Talented Taz of Popstars fame has hit the big time - despite being kicked out of the cult TV show.

Taz Hassan, from Shoebury, entered LWT's unique competition to create a new pop band but narrowly lost out when the number of finalists were cut from 22 to 10.

But for the 19-year-old, who works at his dad's Wimpy in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, it's over but not out.

Taz - who completed a GNVQ advanced performing arts course at South East Essex College in Southend - has announced he was preparing to make a recording deal with an industry bigwig.

He said: "I've performed since I was young in musical productions at the Towngate Theatre, the Cliffs Pavilion, the New Empire Theatre and in the West End in shows such as Guys and Dolls, and Little Shop of Horrors so I know what to do.

"There were a lot of mind games being played on us all the time during Popstars, but it was all a test to create the right mix for the band.

"But while Nigel (one of the three judges) said I had a unique rhythm and blues voice I just wasn't right for the band. Off camera he admitted that any of the last 25 could have been in the band and some of us were capable of doing even better.

"My heart dropped when Paul (another judge) said 'Taz, mate, we're not going to call you back.' I hated hearing those words."

Taz - christened Taner by his Irish mum Angela and Turkish Cypriot dad Hussein - is now going to team up with two of the other dumped Popstar singers, Ray and Warren, to form the rhythm and blues band Trinity.

Industry types including big name lawyers are in the process of drawing up contracts and Taz is doing more and more radio, newspaper, magazine and television interviews.

Proud - Taz with mum and dad at the Wimpy

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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