You must have been a beautiful baby… cos baby look at you now!

Attractive Kim Wilde is following in the footsteps of her famous rock star father Marty. The 20-year-old former art student has swopped her paintbrush for a microphone and is all set to strike out into the glittering world of pop music.

She has just cut her first disc – Kids in America – which is due to hit record shops within the next week or so.

But it was a stroke of luck that landed this stunning blonde on the verge of a successful musical career.

Speaking at the family house in Tewin, she said: “I was at a loose end after leaving art college at St Albans. I filled in the time doing backing vocals for some recording my brother Ricky was doing.”

And it was then that music impresario Micky Most – owner of Rak Records – heard her voice and decided she would go far. He immediately took her under his wing.

She said: “I have always wanted to get into the music business and now it has happened. But I still cannot quite grasp it all.”

The song was written by Ricky and his father. Although only 19, Kim’s brother is already well versed in the ways of the music business. He has for years played in Marty Wilde’s backing band, and was responsible for much of the music on the single.

He, too, wants to make the big time and is forming a band of his own. He said: “I am looking for local musicians who play the drums and lead guitar. They will have to be good.”

But for now all the family’s eyes are on Kim. Marty said: “Her future is in the hands of the public. After all it is they who have to buy the record.”