A SCHOOLBOY who shot to fame singing opera on Britain’s Got Talent is still chasing his dream – after a stint as a roofer.
Andrew Johnston, now 23, enchanted the nation with his angelic voice when he reached the semi-final of the TV show in 2008.
His audition performance of Pie Jesu brought judge Amanda Holden to tears while Simon Cowell tipped the 13-year-old as a possible winner.
He eventually came third in the competition before going on to release album One Voice, which entered the UK charts at number five, and peaked at number four.
However, Dumfries-born Andrew, who graduated with a degree in opera studies in 2017, has swapped singles for shingles these days, working as a roofer while saving cash to pursue his dreams. He said: “Since 2017 I’ve been working full-time as a roofer. I’ve also been having singing lessons in Manchester to prepare for auditions.”
Andrew struggled for a time following his appearance on BGT as his voice changed.
Initially, his singing teacher thought he would be a countertenor but as his voice dropped lower this was changed to tenor and, eventually, a baritone.
After two years out of the spotlight after his voice broke, Andrew joined the National Youth Choir.
Thankfully, his efforts have paid off as he’s just been awarded a full scholarship to study for the advanced diploma in opera at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London.
He said: “The most exciting thing for me will be starting my course in London in the autumn of 2019. Opera is what I want to do.
“I am expecting it to be tough and intense but that’s what I want.
“I want to be challenged at the highest level.”
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