SHY teenager Gavin Whitfield is being tipped for TV stardom, after landing a part-time presenter's role with Manchester cable station, Channel M.

For the 19-year-old student from Haydock has already interviewed some of the big names in contemporary music, including Ash, Shed Seven and the Manic Street Preachers, winning praise for his laid-back style.

Gavin, who is in the first year of a TV production degree at Salford University and still works part-time in the bakery department of a supermarket, began his remarkable rise just six months ago.

He told the Star: "I worked on the set of a film called '24 Hour Party People', which stars Steve Coogan, and through that I made a few contacts with local producers and got in touch with Channel M".

An audition followed and producers at the station were so impressed by Gavin that they gave him the opportunity to interview some of the music industry's biggest names on a show called 'Interference'. And he hasn't looked back since.

He added: "I was a bit awe struck at first because I'm a big fan of these bands. I do still get a bit nervous as it's all pretty exciting, but as soon as the camera goes on I switch on and start concentrating. I think that just being myself is why people take notice. Some young presenters try to play up to the camera but I make a conscious effort not to do this".

And bosses at Channel M say they are amazed by the way Gavin oozes confidence and charisma when in the spotlight.

Producer Tony McCabe, who likens Gavin's style to a young Johnny Vaughan, told the Star: "He's just gone from strength to strength, he is so laid back. I worked at the BBC for many years and he certainly has something".