A 21-year-old busker came close to becoming the next Mariah Carey on ITV's Pop Idol.

A recording contract and the same management as the Spice Girls and S Club 7 is the prize for the contestant with that all important X factor.

Cayley Callagan, who sings at clubs for a living got down to the last 100, beating off 10,000 other wannabes.

The Wallington singer sang the soul song by Gladys Knight, Help Me Make it Through the Night.

October 26, 2001 14:00