Schoolboy Steven Townsley could soon become a household name after winning through to the finals of a national search for a new children's television presenter.

The 12-year-old from Buttershaw, Bradford, auditioned for the role of new reporter on GMTV's weekend show Diggit and has just been chosen as one of 16 finalists out of more than 5,000 hopefuls.

Now he faces a nerve-racking wait until December 12 when viewers vote for their favourite finalist in a live phone poll.

If he is chosen for the dream job it will not be the first time a member of the family has appeared on the small screen.

His mum Annette was a contestant on Lily Savage's BBC1 quiz show Blankety Blank earlier this year.

She said: "Steven and his younger brother Danny - who also made it to the auditions - have always been performers. They appear on stage together as a comedy impressionist duo called Grotty and Potty. It would be wonderful if he got the job."

Steven is a pupil at Intake High School Art College in Bramley, Leeds, which boasts former pupils such as Scary Spice Mel B and Angela Griffin, who plays Fiona Middleton in Coronation Street.

If he does land the role, Steven will have to be up early whenever Diggit needs him to present the show because it goes on air at 7.10am.

Steven, from Reevy Crescent, paid a visit to the Telegraph & Argus this week to get some top interviewing tips from reporters.

He said: "I've always to have my own TV show. Hopefully, one day, I want to be famous."

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