TWO talented youngsters are on the road to pop stardom after wowing Simon Cowell and his judges to qualify for the final stages of the X Factor.

Teenagers Tandie Stahl and Michael Warrender will head to London for a three-day 'boot camp' later this summer after beating thousands of would-be stars at the weekend's Manchester auditions.

Tandie, aged 19, and 17-year-old Michael are two of just 150 people to reach the finals out of more than 100,000 who auditioned across the country.

The X Factor has become one of the most popular shows on television, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch members of the public bid for a £1million record contract in front of judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.

Excited Tandie, of Evans Street in Crewe, said: "It has always been me sitting on the couch at home envying everyone on the show but now it's going to be me.

"It's such a massive thrill and it hasn't sunk in yet - it's hard to put it into words.

"Simon was lovely and Sharon was really bubbly - she helped calm my nerves."

Winning the X Factor would set the youngsters on the road to pop stardom like previous winner Shayne Ward.

After performing number one hit 'I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker' for 'dummy' judges on Friday, Tandie waited all afternoon on Saturday before getting her big chance in front of Simon, Louis and Sharon.

She said: "I actually burst out laughing the first time because of Sharon but she put me at ease.

"Simon told me to go out and get my nan, and she came into the audition with me and was egging me on.

"Sharon said an 'absolute yes', Louis said the same and Simon said he didn't like my outfit but thought my voice was okay."

Tandie will travel down to London with her 17-year-old friend Michael, who also qualified for the final 50 at the weekend.

The talented teenagers met as pupils at Brine Leas High School in Nantwich and regularly perform at events in South Cheshire, including Cheshire Pride under the guidance of Carol Jones.

Michael, who sang 'If Tomorrow Never Comes', said: "Simon said that his mum would have loved me because of the song I chose, and Louis said I was the right age and had a good voice.

"This is something that I've always dreamed of doing."