CHEEKY Charlie Wernham had more than enough Essex boy banter to win over Mr Nasty Simon Cowell on TV show Britain's Got Talent.

Charlie, 13, of Stansted Close, Billericay, was one of the stars of Saturday night's show on ITV1.

His jokes had the audience in stitches and the usually acerbic Cowell had nothing but praise for the south Essex lad's comic timing.

Charlie dedicated his success to his beloved nan, Joan Judd, who died of breast cancer, aged 65, last year.

And he even had Cowell holding his head in his hands at one point, when the show's supremo asked him where his nan was.

Charlie told him she was dead, before laughing. Shocked Cowell asked him what was so funny, to which Charlie replied: "I've just had the big man in tears."

After his TV debut, Charlie told the Echo of his delight at making it through to the next round, and his inspirations.

He said: "I was really nervous, but when I got up there it felt brilliant. I was so excited.

"I like old fashioned comics who tell jokes, but I like the ones who put a bit of acting into it too. My heroes are Joe Pasquale, Peter Kay and Lee Evans.

"Every time me and my dad hear someone say something funny, or tell a decent joke, we try to get it in the act. I pick up jokes from other comics too.

"I know Simon Cowell's known for being nasty, but he was nice to me."

Charlie found a lttle extra inspiration from his nan too.

He said: "On stage I was terrified. I was going through my lines and asked my nan to help me. She was there for me. She always thought I had talent and I feel she's with me all the time."

Mum Elaine, 37, added: "I was really proud.

"He has always been a bit of a comic, right from when he learned to talk.

"He won a talent show at Havens, in Weymouth, when he was nine years-old and it's all gone from there. He's a proper cheeky little cockney. I'd say he's like Jim Davidson."