Older, bearded but definitely still singing, Andrew Johnston - who enchanted the nation with his angelic voice on prime time TV nearly a decade a go - is returning to Carlisle - and he's bringing opera with him.

Andrew captured the public's heart and attention when he competed in the second series of Britain's Got Talent in 2008.

His audition performance of Pie Jesu was highly praised by judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan and he ultimately came third in the series.

He then followed this with a successful chart appearance, releasing album One Voice, which entered the UK charts at number five, and peaked at number four.

Andrew, 22, who is originally from Stanwix, also reduced thousands of hardened of football fans to silence when he performed before a match at a packed Brunton Park - the home of Carlisle United.

But Andrew's success on the TV talent show was only the beginning.

He said the show was a big part of his life in the past but he is now looking to the future.

He said: "I enjoyed it, it gave me so many experiences but that's in the past.

"Now I'm trying to concentrate on my career as an opera singer."

He is passionate about opera and introducing it to people, especially young people in Cumbria who don't get much exposure to it.

The singer is now in his fourth and final year studying opera at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

As part of his course, Andrew has to stage an event and he decided Carlisle Cathedral - where he performed from primary school age - would be the perfect location.

"It's where I came from; it's like a second home," he said.

Andrew was also keen to get the cathedral's choir involved in the event.

He was a part of the choir from the age of seven, grew to be head chorister, a choral scholar and was part time lay clerk.

After he finishes his degree, Andrew will take a year off and then go onto do a masters either in Manchester, London or abroad in Italy.

He particularly likes Italian opera and is keen to learn the language.

He said: "It suits me better. I just love the music. I love the way it flows."

Andrew and his six friends will perform a variety of opera music and German Lieder songs at A Night at the Opera with Andrew and Friends.

Those six friends are: bass Connor Baiano, bass baritones John Holland Avery and Ed Kaye, tenor David Thomas, soprano Myrna Tennant and mezzo-soprano Ellen Mawhinney.

They are all young, upcoming singers from all over the country.

Most are interested in classical opera singing, though some are also going towards musical performance.

Carlisle Cathedral choir will act as the opera chorus accompanying the soloists and will also be singing their own excerpts.

An organ and piano will accompany the singers.

"It is going to sound epic," said Andrew.

A Night at the Opera with Andrew and Friends starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 11.

Tickets can be bought at the door and are £10 for the performance and refreshments afterwards. Children under 12-years-old have free entry.