Liam in semis

STAR turn . . . Liam McNally

singing sensation Liam McNally is through to the semi-finals of “Britain’s Got Talent.”

Millions watched on ITV on Saturday as shy schoolboy Liam made it into the last 40 of this year’s talent show. The 14-year-old, who could win £100,000 and the chance to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance, had already impressed the judges during auditions with his rendition of “Danny Boy”.

Simon Cowell called him a fantastic singer, while Piers Morgan said: “You’re a serious contender to win.”

On Saturday there were nerve-wracking scenes as the 186 acts left were whittled down to 40 to perform in the live semi-finals, taking place every weekday this week.

Liam’s proud father, William McNally, from Failsworth, runs McNally’s Newsagents, Moston Lane East, New Moston — on the Chadderton border — near to where Liam lives with his mum, Paula.

The whole community has got behind the plucky lad, whose only previous performances have been at the Holy Family Church, Rochdale.

Eight acts will perform in each of the five semi-finals this week with two going through to the grand final on Saturday night. Liam is one of the bookies’ favourites at odds of five to one.