RIO Ferdinand is not only a great footballer, but a man of rare musical and sartorial taste. He set up the White Chalk Talent Quest last year and the grand final will be held on Friday with a '5,000 prize up for grabs.

The aim of WhiteChalk is to give young UK talent the opportunity to break into the tawdry world of the music business. The prize? A recording contract with his record label WhiteChalk Music and prizes totalling around '5000. Not bad.

After a string of hotly contested heats, the final is now taking place at the Opera House in Manchester on Friday, June 3.

Estelle, Kyla and Lethal B will be the more established acts performing on the night alongside the anxious finalists.

With a judging panel of such looming figures as Richard Park, Mike Toolan, Johnny Jay and Trevor Dwyer-Lynch, it's going to be a white knuckle experience.

Compering the night is Justin Moorehouse and Audrey Beharie.

Tickets are '12/15 and available by calling 0870 060 1768 or click here .

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