FORMER Ermysted’s pupil Patrick Ralphson is hoping for the backing of people in Craven when he appears with his fellow band members in the semi-finals of the BBC’s talent show Little Mix The Search this weekend.

Patrick, 20, and ‘Since September’ - also including Harry Holles, 22, Jacob Fowler, 20, and 21 year old Matthew Nolan, are one of five bands hoping to chosen this weekend as the support act for the girl group, Little Mix for their 2021 tour.

The band was due to take part in the semi-final of the contest on Saturday, last week, but the show was re-scheduled at the last minute because of the BBC News Special covering the announcement of the second national lockdown by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The semi-final is now due to take place on Friday evening, and the final with four acts, chosen by the members of Little Mix, will take place on Saturday, when the overall winning band will be chosen by a public vote.

Patrick, who lives in Trawden and is now in his second year at university, studying politics and German at the University of Manchester, plays guitar in the band, which was put together at the start of the show. He first started playing the guitar when he was seven years old, and has been a member of a few bands over the years, one of which opened the Bingley Live festival in 2018.

The 20 year old, who has spent the last few weeks living with his fellow band members in London, was inspired to play the guitar from his dad, who plays base guitar, and has performed with him at a few live gigs.

“Being on stage playing music and singing is my dream come true. I am loving every minute of my time on the show, “ he said.

It has been a long process to get to this weekend’s final. The selection process started last year with many set-backs due to contestants testing positive for Covid-19, and last week's last minute postponement due to the Prime Minister's press conference.

Since September is the vocal and instrument band in the contest, battling it out against four others representing , ‘girl vocal’, ‘boy band’, ‘girl dance’ and ‘R&B’.

Patrick said winning the show would be a ‘dream come true’ and he had become best mates with his fellow band members over the last five weeks while living in London.

“This is such an amazing opportunity for me. The thing I want most in the world is to stand on a stage in front of thousands of people and sing, play and rock.

“Winning this would see my dreams comes true, it’s such a fantastic opportunity and so exciting. The lads and I get on so well, we have been living in London together now for five weeks and we really are the best of mates.”

He added: “I couldn’t have been put with a nicer, funnier bunch of people, we all work really well together and respect each other’s talents. We have been working so hard, we just hope it’s enough to get us through to the final."

His mum, Molly Ralphson, said: “It would be amazing if people could get behind Patrick and help him fulfil his dreams by voting for him should he make it through to Saturday’s show.

“ I know I am biased but he really is very talented and just loves to perform. It’s been really nerve-wracking but it’s also great to have something exciting to look forward to in these otherwise gloomy times”.

Little Mix The Search is due to go out on BBC1 on Friday at 7pm and on Saturday at 6.05pm.