X Factor runner up Marcus Collins is bringing his first solo UK tour to Croydon, writes Charlotte Veryard.

And he is searching for support acts from the area to make the show even more special.

You could get the chance to be the opening act at Fairfield Halls if you have what it takes to get the crowd excited and have enough material for your own set.

Luckily, unlike Collins’s rise to fame, you do not have to go through gruelling auditions in a television studio.

Instead all you need to do is show what you can do by emailing a clip of you performing to marcuscollins fanmail@gmail.com with your contact details before September 24.

For his part of the night Collins is promising a spectacular performance of old school classics and modern songs with some new material too.

Included in his set are covers of Sam Smith and the White Stripes, but also tunes by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker and Luther Vandross.

He says his aim is to give the show a Motown and soulful feel.

Collins says: “To me, Motown is the epitome of what music is all about.

“A lot of the music we listen to today owes its roots to the Motown era: the passion, the melodies, the backing vocals. To me, Motown is second to none.

“This new show is about celebrating those artists who were inspired by that era and putting my twist on those classic songs.”

As well as getting ready for the tour, Collins has been working on his latest single Sweet Thang and his second album.

Since leaving the X Factor in 2011 after losing to girl band Little Mix, Collins has been revelling in the success of his debut album which reached number seven in the charts.

And he has also been working with his X Factor mentor Gary Barlow as well as receiving rave reviews when he played Seaweed Stubbs in the Hairspray musical in 2013.

Marcus Collins and his band; Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon; October 15, 7.30pm; £20; visit www.fairfield.co.uk co.uk or call 020 8688 9291.