BB star Steph auditions for 'X Factor'

Former Big Brother star Stephanie McMichael has auditioned for the new series of The X Factor.

The model has formed a girlband called The LiverBirds who are said to have impressed producers in the show's early rounds.

It is thought that McMichael's group now has an invite to appear before Simon Cowell and his fellow judges at the televised auditions in June.

The 21-year-old has met panellist Cheryl Cole before as they were both contestants on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. However, McMichael's time on the show was short-lived as she was kicked off for being three years younger than the minimum age of 16.

According to McMichael's mother Jo, it was Cole who first voiced suspicions that Stephanie was too young for the programme. She allegedly gave her rival a grilling about her age, which tipped off producers.

Jo told the Daily Star: "She was gutted. She could have been in Girls Aloud and had that taken away. Being bigger than Cheryl would be good revenge."