Story first published August 30, 2005

A teenage music prodigy is hoping to score more than "nul point" as he battles to win the British final of the junior Eurovision song contest.

Jack Garratt, 13, of Church Grove, Little Chalfont, was selected for the final after winning through the audition stage, beating 22 other competitors.

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Singer/songwriter Jack, who performed his own song The Girl was thrilled with his achievement.

He said: "They loved the song and the way I performed. I really wasn't expecting to make it through to the final. All my friends are saying I'm definitely going to win but I'm not really thinking about it."

The requirements of the competition are that an original song must be performed, written by the participant.

The live show is to be screened on ITV2 on September 3 at 6.15pm, with the winner competing in the junior Eurovision song contest in Belgium.

Musical Jack, who also plays the piano, bass guitar, drums and trombone, has been writing songs for about a year.

Jack's mother Helen is delighted for her son. She said: "He lives for performing and singing. It's already taken over.

"Music has always been his passion."

Jack, whose whole family play instruments ranging from the harp to the flute, is influenced mainly by laid-back songwriters like Rufus Wainwright, Damien Rice, and Eric Clapton, but is also a big jazz fan.

He said: "My favourite song at the moment is Mr Bojangles by Sammy Davis Jnr. I'm also loving Ray Charles at the moment too."

The winner of the final will be decided by a tele-vote after the performances.

Jack, who will be playing a new guitar bought for him by his dad, said: "I'll be nervous before I play but as soon as I'm into it I'll be fine."