Britain's Got Talent's Andrew Johnston launches his One Voice CD

Last updated at 11:51, Monday, 29 September 2008

Teenager Andrew Johnston’s rapid rise to stardom was complete today with the launch of his CD, One Voice.

Andrew Johnston

Web link: hear clips from Andrew Johnston's CD
Video: watch Andrew Johnston singing Pie Jesu in full

Launched on Simon Cowell’s Syco label, the 10-song album is tipped for chart success after Andrew’s stunning performances on TV show Britain’s Got Talent.

Featuring a version of Pie Jesu - the song that made him famous around the world when he sang it on the programme - a cover of Walking in the Air, performed as a duet with fellow BGT contestant Faryl Smith and a rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine, there has been great interest in the long-player.

The Carlisle 14-year-old is now at the centre of a media whirlwind as he buzzes from TV studio to radio studio and shop to shop promoting the disc.

Peter Sisson, manager of the zavvi store in The Lanes, Carlisle, said the release would be “massive” for his store.

“There has been so much interest and I’d be expecting a rush over the next couple of days. It has been mainly the older people who have been asking it.”

The shop has put the album on to one of its listening posts so that customers can hear it before buying.

Recognition of Andrew, 14, was high in Carlisle this morning – even if One Voice wasn’t flying the shelves

Maggie Forrester, 40, of Ashley Street, recognised the teenager immediately.

“He was really good on Britain’s Got Talent. I think he’s got a lot of talent and think he’ll go far.

“I’ll probably get a copy; you have to support him don’t you?”

Cheryl Bulman, 39, of Dale End Road, Harraby and her mum Vera Myers, 83, also of Dale End Road, both knew who Andrew was.

“I thought he should have won [Britain’s Got Talent]”, said Cheryl. “I thought he was brilliant. He get a lot more confident from the beginning of the show to the end.”

Having seen a promotional poster in a city centre store, they were also aware of the CD’s release.

But said Cheryl: “I’d probably buy it for my mam. I’m more of an AC/DC type of woman.

“I think it’ll be popular all over and, in fact, I think it’ll get to number one in the charts.”

Brian Teasdale, 28, of Brampton, saw Andrew at Newcastle on the BGT tour that followed the TV final.

“I bought the tickets just to go and see the tour because of Andrew. It was brilliant and he got a standing ovation.”

He added that he will buy a copy of the disc because “he [Andrew] is local.”

Leanne McKay, 33 of Metcalf Street, Denton Holme, recognised Andrew immediately on his album cover.

“He’s a massive talent. I’ve seen his pictures but didn’t know what he was up to. I liked him but he’s not my sort of music, though he has a brilliant voice.”

Andrew, a pupil at Trinity School who lives in Stanwix, has already appeared on the same bill as several West End stage stars for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 60th birthday concert in London’s Hyde Park and Carlisle Live in Bitts Park.

He said it would be strange seeing his own album in the shops, but that he was excited by the prospect.

He will meet fans and sign copies of One Voice at Carlisle’s Woolworths store on Wednesday from 4pm.