Popular local DJ Steve Briers has been enjoying a brush with TV stardom after auditioning for a top reality show.

Fifty-five-year-old Steve who holds the record for the world’s fastest backwards talker was one of 28 acts out of 10,000 applicants to appear before the celebrity judging panel of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Steve, who auditioned at Birmingham Hippodrome, after being invited to send in an application, sadly didn’t make the live shows, but nevertheless had ‘an amazing day out’.

“I was disappointed my act wasn’t shown, but have nothing but praise for the show and the producers,” Steve told the Observer this week.

“To be given the opportunity to be part of the world’s biggest TV show is something many people can only dream of.”

Two days before his audition, Steve was dealt a blow when the producers informed him they could not get clearance for his act - Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody to be sung backwards.

Thrown into panic, Steve quickly learned and rehearsed Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive!

“I have the world’s worst voice,” admitted Steve, “but everyone I spoke to backstage and throughout the day was amazed at what I did.

“When I went out onto the stage, it felt surreal and very special. I introduced myself backwards which bemused the judges, and then of course I did it forwards before asking each judge individually for a word which I instantly threw back at them backwards.

“I asked David Walliams to join me on stage and I got him to write something on a whiteboard which I would say backwards, to show how I for the words. David being David wrote: ‘David loves Simon and wants to marry him’ which of course sparked banter between them. To end my act, I sang Gloria Gaynor’s classic I Will Survive backwards.

Steve continued: “I was disappointed I didn’t get put through, but I was so chuffed to have appeared on stage. My wife Linda, daughters Laura and Angelina, son-in-law Matthew, and grandchildren Orlando, Leoni, Faith and Macy had a brilliant day out which for me it was all about - having a fun family day.”

As well as meeting presenters Ant and Dec, Steve was interviewed by Stephen Mulhern who presents Britain’s Got More Talent, while back stage Simon Cowell told him: “I really enjoyed what you did. That’s the way the show goes.”

The show has never had a backwards talker before.

“Attending the audition has certainly made me think perhaps next year I’ll attempt another world record!” added Steve.