EAST Lancashire Popstars reject Kevin Simm has given his first public performance as he tries to match Hear'Say's chart success.

Kevin, 20, of Abbey Village, and band Liberty, who fell at the final hurdle in the ITV television star search, appeared at a private gig at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London last night.

The group -- Kevin, Kelli Young, 19, Tony Lundon, 22, Michelle Heaton, 20, and Jessica Taylor, 20 -- performed five songs including their debut single, Thinking It Over, which is due for release next month.

Not put off by their failure to be picked by "Nasty" Nigel Lythgoe in the popular ITV Popstars programme, the five got together and have signed to Sir Richard Branson's V2 label in a six-album deal.

Kevin's parents Stephen and Bernadette run the Royal Hotel in Abbey Village.

Liberty's first single is a collaboration with former Artful Dodger DJ Peter Devereaux and is an R&B track, which has also been a hit on the dancefloors of Europe after a Boy George re-mix.