SO what did you make of Britain's Got Talent? I was calling in for Stavros Flatley, the unlikely father-son combination with their comic dancing routine.

The whole Susan Boyle saga remains mystifying.

For certain, even though the Scottish spinster finished runner-up, you sense that if she is able to put her personal problems aside that she stands to become a bigger star than BGT winners Diversity.

Personally, I agree with Lily Allen. I don't know what the fuss was all about with Susan Boyle. Once you'd got over the "don't judge a book by its cover" concept, the reality was a 48-year-old belting out a decent version of a song from Les Miserables.

But from an entertainment point of view, there was better acts on show with Flawless, the other dance troupe in the final, unlucky not to fare better.

So all roads point to Purton this week. Well, if Britain's got talent, then what about Swindon?

Swindon Talent 09 kicks off at Purton Village Hall this Friday. Last year's inaugural event, run in conjunction with the Adver, Swindon 105.5 and the Arts Centre was a huge success with the Saturday Club running out overall winners.

This year we have got heats at the Purton Carnival (June 5th, 7pm), Old Town Festival (June 28th, 11am) and the Caribbean Carnival (July 11th, 12 noon).

For all three of those heats, you need to contact the organisers direct and can enter by filling in the following form: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/resources/files/4569/ However, we are also organising an open mic session at Commonweal School in Old Town on Thursday, July 16th from 4.30pm. Just turn up with a backing CD and perform on the school stage.

The finals will take place at the Arts Centre on Saturday, August 8th featuring the best acts from the four rounds.

Twelve months ago we had great fun with the competition which I will be judging along with Shirley Ludford from Swindon 105.5 and Clarry Bean from the Arts Centre. I can't wait.