A FORMER busker on the streets of York has expressed his delight at making it through to the finals of BBC's Fame Academy.

Alistair Griffin, 25, a graduate of York St John College, who hails from Castleton, near Whitby, won a place on the Fame Academy show in a live vote on Saturday evening.

He now wants the people of York to get behind him in his challenge to make it big on the show.

"I really want the people of York and North Yorkshire to get behind me and to help make this happen," said Alistair.

"I am so excited about it all, it's just beginning to sink in, all the madness is beginning to seem normal, but then as everyday goes by I just get more excited."

The singer-songwriter lived in Exhibition Square, York, until a short time ago.

He busked on the city streets and sang at a slipper promotion at Marks & Spencer.

"We are currently secluded away in a posh hotel down in London, where I will be staying until I go into the house - it's quite a change," he said.

His past credits include making it to the finals of A Song For Europe, sharing a dressing room with Atomic Kitten, and making it down to the last few hopefuls in auditions for boy-band Blue, but is now hoping this is his big break.

"I am delighted to have won this chance, I hope I can stay in it for as long as possible, and it would be nice to go all the way and win it."

He had a message for York's other Fame Academy hopeful, Daniel O'Shea, who missed out on a place in the Academy.

He said: "It was a shame that Daniel didn't get through, you kind of feel bad almost, as you get quite close to people through all the auditions, and it was sad to see him go.

"It's all been pretty emotional already, I don't know what it will be like when we get going."

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, July 29, 2003