An amateur band who split up 23 years ago have been given a second shot at stardom after making to the final three of a national competition.

The Touch, who describe their music as ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood meets Squeeze’, believe their biggest crowd was about 100 people during their heydey in the 1980s.

But the south London six-piece now have the chance to play in front of thousands by opening the Isle of Wight Festival if they triumph in Absolute Radio competition One Last Dream.

Lead guitarist John Donegan, from Croydon, bassist Clive Lambert, from Worcester Park, and their bandmates have been put through a strenuous musical bootcamp since signing up for contest, and now face a public vote to determine the winner.

Singer Jon Baker, who now lives in Scotland after moving from Wimbledon, had no idea bandmate Clive had entered the competition until he heard their old song ‘Love Struggle’ played on the radio.

He said: “We found each other again on Facebook and did our first rehearsal in 23 years this week. It all clicked back into place.

“Now we’re being put through our paces in boot camp week so my wife Pauline and work colleagues have all been tuning in to see how we’re doing.

“The important thing now is that everyone votes for us to make the dream come true.”

Voting will be open until the end of today, with the result announce tomorrow on the Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show.

Breakfast Show DJ Christian O’Connell said: “The Isle of Wight Festival is a huge gig for any band, let alone one who hasn’t played together in over 20 years.

“Good music always stands the test of time however and The Touch still has the magic.”

Anyone interested in voting for the band in the contest, which is sponsored by Swiftcover.com, can visit absoluteradio.co.uk.