POP Idol failure Suleman Khan took on his critics by making a live appearance at the Atlantis nightclub in Bolton -- and declared himself a local hero.

Suleman, from Daubhill, was watched by millions on ITV1's Pop Idol when he left judges reeling with his cringeworthy rendition of R Kelly's hit "I Believe I Can Fly".

Simon Cowell, the show's Mr Nasty, told the 21 year-old that he could not sing.

And when Suleman insisted the audience would love him, Simon told him: "With respect, the audience can actually hear."

Suleman took to the stage at the Atlantis dressed in his now familiar floor-length black leather coat and dark sunglasses.

The audience were treated to acapella versions of Michael Jackson's "The Way you Make me Feel," and Usher's hit "You Remind Me."

He also launched into a slightly improved rendition of the R Kelly number and left out his televised dance routine in which he nodded his head like a hen and used his arms to pretend to fly.

The pop hopeful began his performance with gusto and appeared to have been in training since his TV appearance, managing to keep his composure in front of a crowd of hundreds.

The graphic design student, of Southmoor Walk, was greeted with a chorus of cheers when he asked the crowd if Simon Cowell had been wrong in his criticism.

But there were a few boos too -- and some club-goers felt that the spectacle was just too much.

One onlooker described the display as "worse than pub karaoke" and added: "He's got guts, but it's no good without talent."

Other spectators were similarly unimpressed. Maxine Furness, aged 18, said: "He was all right tonight, but in my opinion he was an embarrassment to Bolton on the show. Anyone in here could have got up and done what he did."

Alex Glass, aged 18, from Chetwyn Avenue, Bromley Cross, said: "I actually saw him on Pop Idol and felt embarrassed just to watch someone from our town being booted off, but he did well tonight in front of all those people. He's no future in it though, he hasn't got the right image."

Zoe Cameron, 19, who had travelled from Rutland, in the east Midlands, was also rejected from the show. She said: "I sang in the auditions, and have to say I was much better.

"Suleman just seems to choose the wrong songs. He can hold the audience quite well and has more chance than some, but he picks songs that he can't sing."

Chris Lawton, aged 18, of Devonshire Road, Heaton, said Suleman deserved everything he got from Simon Cowell.

He said: "The judges were right, he's rubbish at singing, and looks daft wearing sunglasses in a dark nightclub, but you can't fault him for having a good go. I wouldn't like to get up and sing in here."

But Suleman did have a few fans. Sophie Quaye, aged 18, from Bryantsfield, Lostock said: "Suleman was good. I haven't seen his face properly yet, which would be a big part of a pop career, but he's got a nice voice and sang well."

Holly Adnams, 18, of Middlebrook Drive, Lostock, said: "His performance would have sounded better with backing music, but he sounded good and I wouldn't say that he was a failure."

Suleman was undeterred by his critics, though.

He said: "It went really well for me. I felt like I had the crowd behind me and was welcomed as a local hero.

"I thought my acapella was really good and that my songs were good enough. There will be people who are jealous, mainly men, but they should accept me for who I am."