MUSICAL skills could put a talented harmonica player in the TV spotlight tonight.

Ray Boddington, aged 66, auditioned for the ITV show, Britain's Got Talent, playing a one-inch harmonica hands free.

Ray is from Breightmet, but recently moved to Manchester. Earlier this year, he went to the Manchester auditions at the Palace Theatre which will be featured in tonight's show.

He put his playing skills to the test in front of Geordie comedy duo Ant & Dec and reality show king and self-styled Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell.

He failed to reach the next round, but after seeing himself in a clip at the end of last week's show, he has his fingers crossed that he will appear on tonight's episode.

Ray, lived in Newlands Avenue for nine years, has been playing the one-inch harmonica for years.

Stage fright was not a problem, as he used to get paid to appear in shows across the North-west. He says he even played with the Everley Brothers at a gig in Manchester.

Ray's unusual talent has even caught the attention of the Queen, who wished him luck in his audition when he wrote to inform her of his talent after he heard the Queen Mother loved harmonica music.

Britain's Got Talent is on ITV1 at 8pm.