Josh loves his UK go-slow

Josh Groban’s rise to stardom in America was meteoric, but he’s happy to take it slowly in the UK.

The operatic-styled singer was a schoolkid when he had his big break, being asked to substitute for Andrea Bocelli in a duet with Celine Dion at the rehearsals for the 1999 Grammy Awards.

Since then he’s sold 25 million records, with 21 million of those coming in his homeland.

But with the release of his sixth studio album, All That Echoes, he feels he’s finally made it in Britain.

“It’s been a slow climb but I think I’ve been fortunate to have good exposure, which has allowed me to do things the right way,” the 32-year-old (left) said.

“In the States I had the benefit of TV, which came along really quickly.

“But I’ve done it the old-fashioned way here and when you can see the rewards, it’s nice.”

There’s still a hint of incredulity in Josh’s voice when he tells the story of being asked to fill in for Andrea Bocelli while in high school.

“I was in English class when I received a call from record producer David Foster, who I’d met a few weeks prior.

“He asked me to step in for Andrea alongside Celine at the Grammy rehearsals.

“I was terrified I had never been put in a situation like that before.

“It could have come and gone, but there were a lot of people in the audience for the rehearsal and it was a big event for me.”

Josh was subsequently invited on to a number of talk shows, which led to a guest slot on Ally McBeal, and his career was underway.

In the UK, it was his appearances on music panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks that helped to raise his profile.

“The UK is so personality driven,” he continued.

“People like to see a light-hearted side and I’ve always been that type of person.

“Buzzcocks allowed me to be free and it was a wonderful experience.

“A lot of people still stop me to ask about it.”