By Pam McClounie

Published at 11:23, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

CARLISLE’S singing superstar Andrew Johnston can look forward to a bright Christmas this year as he’s been invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

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Andrew, 14, shot to fame earlier this year singing Pie Jesu on the ITV1 show Britain’s Got Talent.

The former Trinity School pupil has a diary and social calendar to envy most teenagers.

And he has been working with Scottish vocal coach Yvie Burnett in preparation for when his voice breaks.

He told a packed city centre on Sunday when he switched on the city’s Christmas lights: “My voice hasn’t broken yet but I will still sing in the cathedral choir when it does.”

Andrew will spend this weekend at opera singer and fellow Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts’s house and then head to the ITV studios in London to watch Saturdays X-Factor live.

Andrew said: “This Christmas will be better than last year.

“I’m not bothered about presents and things I just want to concentrate on my singing.

“I’ll be singing quite a lot over Christmas. I’ve got a big Salvation Army concert at the Royal Albert Hall coming up and I will be singing at Carlisle Cathedral too.

“I’m looking forward to going to stay with Paul Potts. We’ve become quite good friends and he’s going to pass on some of his tips to me.

“I’m going to see the X-Factor which I’m really looking forward to. I want boy band JLS to win the competition.

“It will be nice to go back to London to see some of my friends including vocal coach Yvie Burnett.”

Andrew, of Stanwix, has had a phenomenal year after coming third in the TV talent contest in June.

He won the hearts of the nation and of judge and music mogul Simon Cowell, also a judge on X-Factor.

He recorded his first classical album One Voice after landing a lucrative deal with Mr Cowell.

Tracks on his album include his moving rendition of Pie Jesu, Eric Clapton’s Tears In Heaven and Walking In the Air, from the soundtrack of The Snowman.

Andrew has travelled all over the UK on tour, visiting places he had never been to before.

He’s also performed to live audiences at Carlisle United’s Brunton Park, Carlisle Live in Bitts Park, Carlisle Cathedral – and in London’s Hyde Park for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 60th birthday.

Last month Andrew topped the bill at a glittering concert in the city that showcased local talent, and on Sunday he switched on Carlisle’s dazzling Christmas lights.

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk