The man behind the first Coalville Has Talent competition wants to stage it again next year - and expand it to other areas.

Oli Mellor had the idea of bringing together the area's budding entertainers this summer.

But he received such a good response that, by the time the semi-finals grand final came around earlier this month, the Century Theatre was a sell out.

The contest was won by young dancer Jagoda, with teenage musicians The Shed finishing second.

Oli admits that the venture gave him a few stressful moments, but it was all worth it in the end.

He told Coalville Nub News: "It was the first ever event I'd ever organised.

"I took a lot on board and it was quite stressful, about seven shows in the total.

"By the time the semis and final came around, they were sell outs.

"I'm very proud."

Oli decided to set the sows up to give Coalville talent a platform in the area.

He added: "I'm a performer myself and would've loved to have entered something like this.

"I was very fortunate to give the opportunity to people and some got a lot of exposure from it.

"Everybody said they were honoured to be a part of it."

Asked if Coalville Has Talent 2023 is in the pipeline, Oli said: "Yes, 100 per cent.

"I didn't know what to expect from it.

"At the start, it was quite a slow build-up, but by the time the semi-finals arrived, it was all anyone was talking about.

"The winner Jagoda was an acro-dancer.

"I also worked with Tony Marsden, of Tubby Studios, who sponsored the event, he provided the £250 studio package, filmed the final and provided the hosts.

"it sounded slick, but there were times when I felt like I'd got away with it.

"But a lot of people said how good it was, so I must've done something right.

"Next year, I think it'll be a bit earlier to avoid the holidays."

Now Oli plans to build on this and expand the idea.

He added: "I'd love to. I did this with the Century Theatre, but next year I'd like to do it as an individual promoter, at the same venue.

"Hopefully, I'd like to make a career out of it.

"I'd like to franchise it and do something similar in other Midlands cities, and make a business out of it."