Rachel Tucker (26) from Belfast and 17-year-old Bangor schoolgirl Niamh Perry survived the first public vote on the BBC's new talent show I'd Do Anything.

The programme is the latest venture oveseen by musical maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber, although the new stage version of Oliver will be produced by Cameron Mackintosh.

On Saturday night 12 Nancy finalists and 12 would-be Olivers, including Londonderry schoolboy Gareth Borrow, performed in the first live show.

Each week, one of the 12 Olivers will be selected by the judging panel to go on to the next stage as they are considered too young to face the public vote. The boys will stay together in a group until the semi-finals.

Following Saturday night's live performances, the 12 girls hoping to win the role of Nancy returned to the studio last night to hear the results of the public vote.

Belfast woman Rachel Tucker, who lives in London, was one of the first through to the next stage and was clearly delighted when her name was called out by presenter Graham Norton.

But for Niamh, it was a nail-biting moment as she had to wait longer to find out if she had reached the next stage.

The 17-year-old pupil from Our Lady and St Patrick's, Knock, closed her eyes tightly as she stood with four of the remaining finalists waiting to hear her fate.

The teenager's mum Zaron, who was in the audience, jumped for joy when Niamh's name was added to the list of possible Nancys.

Both Rachel and Niamh won high praise from the judges - and Lloyd Webber - for their performances on Saturday night. Rachel, who sang the Sugababes hit About You Now, was described by Torchwood star John Barrowman as " fantastic, fantastic, fantastic", while Barry Humphries told Niamh, who sang The First Cut Is The Deepest, that she was "beautiful" and predicted she would go on to be famous.

Also surviving the public vote was bookmakers favourite, Jessie Buckley (18) from Co Kerry, who was first to congratulate Niamh on getting through.

But there were tears for Birmingham girl Amy (24), who was the first finalist voted off the show.

The remaining 11 Nancys will once again perform live next week in another bid to get closer to their dream of playing Nancy in the West End musical Oliver.