A SOMERSET singer could be set to record at the legendary Abbey Road studios as he takes part in a national TV contest.

Sam Harper, from Taunton, is a member of Semi Toned, who are taking part in a new Sky One programme to find out the country’s best vocal group.

If successful, as well as recording at the landmark London studios, they could also get the chance to release a Christmas single.

Sing: Ultimate A Cappella is designed to test the power and versatility of the human voice, with 30 groups using beatboxing, harmonies, choreography and more to perform songs by artists from David Bowie to the Backstreet Boys.

The series, hosted by Cat Deeley, was recorded in a London theatre during the summer but will be shown each Friday evening on Sky One and started last week - with Semi Toned making it through.

Sam, who studied drama and graduated from Exeter University this year, said: “Getting to perform on ‘Sing: Ultimate A Cappella’ is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

"Performing with my best friends was an opportunity of a life time.”

The show is billed as the UK’s first vocals-only entertainment competition with no backing tracks and no instruments.

This isn’t Semi-Toned’s first foray into the world of TV.

The University of Exeter students were crowned winners of Gareth Malone’s UK-wide search for the nation’s best choir on BBC2 in December 2016.

The group, now one of the country’s most established university a cappella ensembles, was formed in 2010 as a barbershop quintet.

The current lineup, now 10-strong are aged 18 to 22.

During each episode of Sing: Ultimate A Cappella the groups will be judged on their vocals, musicality, interpretation and performance.

In round one each group will perform a medley of two songs to impress the judges, after which one group will be eliminated.

The remaining groups will then have to perform a hit from a musical icon, with two groups then being knocked out of the competition.

The two remaining groups will then go head to head in the ‘Showstopper’ round - with Semi Toned winning the first show.

They will now join the victors from the remaining five heats, who will be pitted against each other in the grand final.