A teenage busker often seen performing in Rawtenstall is set to appear on TV show The Voice Kids on Saturday.
Will Edgar, from Bradshaw in Bolton, will make his debut audition on the ITV programme with the hope of persuading judges Ronan Keating, Danny Jones, Pixie Lott and will.i.am to turn their chairs around in the blind auditions.
The 15-year-old often entertains audiences at The Blind Tiger in Rawtenstall.
The Turton High School student said with news of his upcoming performance building on social media and in TV adverts, he is feeling slightly apprehensive.
He said: “It all started with the violin when I was seven at Eagley Infants School doing music lessons.
Loved it today in Bury! Thanks cor@all@your kind comments and compliments pic.twitter.com/10xOUbtT4Y
— WiLL EDGAR MUSIC (@WiLLEDGARMUSIC) September 10, 2022
“I really enjoyed that and also went on to play the drums and join Bolton Orchestra but when lockdown came around, I picked up my brother's guitar, started playing and then singing.”
What an honour today to sing for HRH King Charles and his Queen Consort @BBCNWT @boltoncouncil @itvnews pic.twitter.com/aj3lYF3Foh
— WiLL EDGAR MUSIC (@WiLLEDGARMUSIC) January 20, 2023
Since then, Will has been busking in Bury town centre, performing in the Mill Gate Shopping Centre for charities, and playing gigs in Old Trafford, Stoke, Southport, Preston, Bolton and Rawtenstall.
He even sung for King Charles and Queen Camilla when they visited Bolton Town Hall.
Will's dad Mark said: “He does so much and is also a music mentor to young children at Rockit in Bolton.
“He is brilliant at the instruments he plays and when he started singling during lockdown, I just thought, wait a minute, this really is something he has here, and the rest is history.”
Will said out of all the judges he hopes Bolton’s Danny Jones, from McFly, will be among those that turn their chairs around.
Will added: “I’m recording a new single this week too and already have an album out called ‘Coffee and Car Parks’, because that is what my dad is spending all his money on.
“It has been a lot of work getting to this stage of The Voice and I had also applied for Britain’s Got Talent, but this seemed more relevant as it is specifically for singers .”
Will is also playing at Right to Roam festival in Bolton on Friday, July 7 at 5.15pm.
The Voice Kids will be on ITV1 at 7.30pm on Saturday.
If you have a story tweet @Heywoodharriet_ or email Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk.
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