Andrew Johnston (singer)

Andrew Johnston

Andrew Johnston (born 23 September 1994 in Dumfries, Scotland) is a Scottish boy soprano who rose to fame when he finished in third place on the second series of the British television talent show Britain's Got Talent. Although he did not win the series, he was signed to judge Simon Cowell's label SyCo Music. His debut album, One Voice, was released in September 2008, and it debuted at number four on the British album charts.

Before trying out for the show, Johnston had been head chorister at Carlisle Cathedral and performed around Europe. He had moved to Carlisle, where he lived in "poverty", as an infant after his parents separated. Johnston was bullied because of his love of classical music. While some journalists have said Johnston's background was taken advantage of by the Britain's Got Talent producers, others have hailed his story as inspirational.

History

Carlisle Cathedral Choir

Johnston joined the Carlisle Cathedral Choir at the age of six when Kim Harris, a teacher at his primary school, heard his voice and recommended he try out. He later became the cathedral's head chorister. Performances with the choir included appearances in Hungary, Poland, Ireland and a solo in the Basilica in Budapest. At one point, Johnston was forced to quit the choir after abuse and threats from bullies, but he returned after his choirmaster helped him through the ordeal. In September 2008, shortly before the release of his debut album, he embarked on a tour performing in Norwegian cathedrals. The idea of the tour was conceived because the diocese of Stavanger is a partner to the diocese of Carlisle. This was Johnston's last tour as a member of the choir, as choristers can only stay as members until the end of year eight. Johnston features as head chorister on one of the choir's albums, The Choral Music of F.W Wadely, released in November 2008.

Britain's Got Talent

At age 13, Johnston tried out for the second series of Britain's Got Talent, singing "Pie Jesu", and passed the audition. He was tipped as one of the favourites to win the show. Later, Johnston described his initial audition as daunting, saying that "it was scary singing in front of 2,500 people. I had never sang on stage before — then there was also Simon, Amanda and Piers". He was put through to the live shows, the next stage of the competition, and he won one of the semi-finals on 27 May, receiving the most public votes on the night and thereby qualifying for the final. He sang the Eric Clapton ballad "Tears in Heaven", and judge Amanda Holden told him, "You are truly gifted, you have a gift from God in your voice." At the final, on 30 May, he again sang "Pie Jesu". However, he finished in third place, losing out to the winner, street dancer George Sampson. The dance group Signature finished in second place. The day after the final, Max Clifford, who works as publicist for Simon Cowell, said that it was "quite possible" that Cowell would be signing some of the finalists, including Johnston.

During his initial audition, Johnston claimed that he was bullied and victimised from the age of six because of his singing. When asked by Simon Cowell how he deals with the issue at hand, he stated that he "carries on singing." There were claims from writers in the Daily Mail that the show's producers were deliberately misleading the viewers and enhancing his situation as a "sob story", and that his real "vote-winner" was the story of his bullying rather than his singing. However, The Times described his story of "the stuff of fairytales", talking of how he "became a star" despite having been raised in "poverty". After the news of his debut album was released, Johnston was quoted as saying that "those bullies do not bother me now. I have my own life and my own album."

One Voice

On 12 June, 2008 it was announced that Johnston had signed a record deal with Syco Music, Simon Cowell's division of Sony BMG, and that his first album would be produced after the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour. Johnston himself heard about the deal while on the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour. His debut album, One Voice, was released on 29 September, 2008. It includes a cover of Aled Jones's "Walking in the Air", performed with Faryl Smith, which has been tipped as a potential Christmas number one. After signing with Syco, Johnston made public appearances, including performing at Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday celebrations on 14 September, and at Carlisle United's Brunton Park. The album was recorded over a six week period in London, and the track listing was chosen by Simon Cowell. The album debuted in the British charts at number five, and finished the week at number four. In the weeks leading up to Christmas 2008, Johnston is due to perform at a carol service in Bradford, and make a guest appearance at Whitehaven's Christmas fair.

Personal life

Johnston was born in Dumfries, but he moved to Carlisle as an infant when his parents separated. He now lives in Stanwix, with his mother Morag Brannock, a researcher, and formly attended Trinity School. His mother also has three grown-up children from her first marriage — Daniel, Kelly and Jodie. His mother left his father, also named Andrew, when Johnston was eight months old, and in an interview with the Daily Record Johnston said that "I don't really want to [see my father]. I like him out of my life." Johnston said that he "had a lot of support from local people when ... taking part in Britain’s Got Talent", and he was described by Mike Mitchelson, of Carlisle City Council, as "one of our local heroes".

Discography

Albums

Year	Information	UK
2008	One Voice First studio album Released: September 29 2008 Label: Syco Format: CD	4

External links

• Official site
• Performance of "Pie Jesu" on ITV.com

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