EAST Lancashire popstar hopeful Kevin Simm and his band have been snapped up by Virgin records in a £2.5million deal -- the most expensive signing ever for a new act.

Kevin, from Abbey Village, formed Liberty with the rest of the rejects from the hit TV show Popstars who failed to make the final band that eventually became Hear'Say.

The band signed the deal with Richard Branson's V2 label and have vowed to be "bigger, badder and more beautiful" then Hear'Say.

Kevin, whose parents Stephen and Bernadette own the Royal Hotel in Abbey Village, is joined in the band by Preston's Jessica Taylor and they have a single ready for release in August.

Millions of viewers saw the five have their dreams dashed when judges of the show did not pick them for the band after they had made the last ten following weeks of auditions.

The band appeared on GMTV early today to confirm the deal and give an impromptu performance where they were joined by Virgin boss Richard Branson.

Kevin's mum Bernadette told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph she had not heard the single but will be first in the queue when it goes on sale.

She said: "I'm hoping it will do well.

"It should do - they have a lot of support and they have shown they can do it live."