The woman who plays two recorders with her nose - and other bizarre acts auditioning for Britain's Got Talent

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Performer Claire Hawes left Britain's Got Talent judges speechless after showing off her extraordinary abilities with the recorder.

Not content with playing just one instrument, she took to the stage with two - which she promptly proceeded to blow with her nose, instead of the more conventional method of using her mouth.

Claire was just one of a new clutch of performers who hoped to make it through to the finals of the hit TV show.

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Low note: one contestant tired - and failed - to impress with her nose-blowing skills

These include a thirteen year-old boy has been tipped as the early favourite to win Britain's Got Talent after being dubbed the next Aled Jones.

Andrew Johnston sang choral piece Pie Jesu and received a standing ovation at an audition in Manchester.

The teenager from Stanwick, Carlisle appeared an unlikely contender when he barely managed to utter his own name on stage.

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Favourite: Andrew Johnston wowed the audience and Britain's Got Talent judges with choral piece Pie Jesu

He told judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden that he had been bullied from the age of six for his love of singing.

He said: "I've been bullied all my life and my mates have been telling me to leave the singing as they don't like that kind of music I sing, but I just ignore them and carry on.

"I don't want to be hanging around on the streets, I just want to make something of my life."

The boy reduced Miss Holden to tears with his rendition.

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Impressed: Andrew reduced Amanda Holden, pictured here with Simon Cowell and Simon Cowell, to tears with his performance

She described his performance as "mesmerising".

Music mogul Mr Cowell said: "I want to see you with more confidence because you could win this."

Andrew is head chorister of Carlisle Cathedral.

The schoolboy appears on the first episode of Britain's Got Talent which will be aired on Saturday night on ITV.

His talent has been compared to that of former child star Welshman Aled Jones.

Mr Jones rose to fame as the boy soprano who sang The Snowman theme tune We're Walking in the Air and sold more than six million albums before he was sixteen.

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Who's bad? Gin the dancing dog, accompanied by owner Kate Nicholas, showed off some Michael Jackson moonwalking moves

Body of work: Lona Luvsandorj is heels over head during her act

The first episode also showcases some more unorthodox acts.

Pensioner Joan Gallagher from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire took to the stage dressed in fish-nets and a leotard before lying on a bed of nails.

Her assistant and neighbour Jim then proceeded to step on her after she lay down.

The 74 year-old widow then tried to smash a slab on concrete on Jim's back using a mallet.

When asked where she practised she replied: "Oh, in the back garden."

Her other hobbies include running marathons and pole dancing.

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Smashing: 'Joan and Jim' put on a cracking performance

In harmony: all girl string quartet Scala impress with their sound - and short skirts

Another highlight is Gin the moonwalking collie dog trained by 16 year-old Kate Nicholas from Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Kate, who comes from a family of dog trainers, also claimed to be a victim of bullying.

Her dog Gin dances to the music of Michael Jackson.

Judge Cowell said: "I've spent my life hunting for a new lassie."

Mongolian law student Iona Luvsandorj, 27, from London made the audience's eyes water with her contortionist act which involved placing her feet over her head.

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Big break: pint-sized George gets in a twist

Meanwhile Donald Bell Gum, 20, was dubbed the worst singer Cowell had ever seen.

The student from East London resolutely refused to stop singing despite being rejected by some of the judges.

He attempted three songs, including Amy Winehouse's Valerie, before being forced off stage.

Morgan concluded: "I could listen to you for hours Donald, you are so bad that you're brilliant."

Former airfreight driver Michael Machell, 57, was derided for his rearrangement of the Star Wars theme tune, using a keyboard.

He said: "Basically I have it feeling more 'spacey' and it has a different rhythm behind it."

Mr Machell came on stage clutching a Beginner Guide to Keyboarding Book.

Cowell judged his composition "the worst piece of music I have ever heard in my life".

Saturday's programme is one of seven dedicated to the audition process and takes in aspiring contestants from London, Cardiff and Manchester.

Britain's Got Talent contestants are competing for a £100,000 prize and a slot to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Prince Charles.

Last year Welsh tenor Paul Potts beat co-favourite five year-old Connie Talbot to sing in front of the Queen.

Since winning the competition he has sold more than 2 million copies of his debut album One Chance.

Britain's Got Talent returns on ITV1 on Saturday at 7.45pm.

 

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