A TEENAGER from Grove Park has vowed to pursue his music career despite being knocked out of a talent show final.

Stephen Blackie, 18, of Claybridge Road, was victorious during the first round of BBC's The Next Big Thing, last month but missed out on the top spot against eight other acts in last Friday's final.

Utopia, a dance music act from Stoke, won the show.

Stephen, who sang his own composition It's Only Me, said: "My family and friends were shocked when they saw third and second place announced.

"They thought I was going to win.

He added: "I was feeling a bit down about it at the weekend but it's what I love, I'm never going to give up.

"Hopefully I will be getting a call from the show's producer, this week, to see if there is any record company interest."

The painter and decorator, who started singing seven years ago when he had a go at karaoke on holiday, applied to the talent show after missing a second audition for Pop Idol.

When he initially auditioned for the hit show, in London, he was invited to return but by misreading the details turned up four days late.