Britain's talent versus Telford's

The launch of Britain's Got Talent on Saturday was a chance to see the weird, wonderful and downright rubbish - but how does it compare with that on offer in Telford? writes video blogger James Shaw.

For the last month or so, we have been running through a similar process to that of Simon Cowell and co, with hundreds of hopefuls looking for a chance of stardom.

The Telford's Got Talent competition has been a great chance to see what people in the area have to offer.

And, on Saturday, that gave me a little bit of insight.

Firstly, the auditions process truly is exhausting.

Many of the sessions run for eight or ten hours solid, with little chance of a break - so when Ant and Dec say "it has been a long day" they really do mean it.

That process also generates a huge amount of footage, so I can only wonder how many tapes the editors at the show have to work through!

But central to that process are the contestants themselves.

The problem with modern talent shows, such as X Factor and indeed Britain's Got Talent, is that it isn't really about talent at all.

The focus is on those without talent.

Our final two audition videos featured a huge chunk of performers who didn't really have a chance of making the finals - and people loved them.

There have been some great characters.

Granted, it is 'car crash' viewing, but the cold, hard facts are that people want to watch a stuttering rapper far more than the next Leona Lewis.

Well, at this stage, anyway.

I usually switch off when they audition shows are over - the boot camp sessions are never as much fun.

But the final of Telford's Got Talent, which takes place this Friday night at The Place in Oakengates, really will show that Telford can compete with the rest of the country.

I wonder if Mr Cowell is free?