A BUDDING guitar hero gets his TV debut next week – at the age of just 13.

Joe Zuccala beat off competition from hundreds of other hopefuls to reach the audition stage of newTV talent show Guitar Star.

Amazingly, the youngster has been playing for less than three years.

But he still managed to wow judges on the new Sky Arts TV show to make it into the last 14.

Clacton County High School pupil Joe’s heroes include Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the blues greats.

He met former Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman at the televised auditions in London, and Huey Morgan of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals band.

“I might be biased, but I am told that he is very good by a lot of people,” said mum Marnie, of Peter Bruff Avenue, Clacton.

“He’s only been playing for two-and-a-half years, so we are very proud of him.”

Joe always wanted to play guitar, but only started after a leaflet advertising lessons landed on his doormat from music teacher Andy Robinson, of Frinton.

He now does special guest appearances with Andy and plays with the house band at Great Bentley Country Park.

Joe and his mum spent a whole day in London filming the auditions.

“There were interviews and they filmed him jamming with the others, and then the auditions were in the afternoon in front of a live audience,” said Marnie.

“It was a great experience for him at such a young age.”

Joe appears on Guitar Star on Tuesday on the Sky Arts channel.