Carlisle Pianist Rahul Suntah looks to the future

Rahul Suntah, 24, is hailed to be the next world-renowned pianist. With a social following of 8,000 on Youtube and 27,000 and counting on Instagram, the young musician is already growing in popularity.

Suntah, who started playing when he was 8, has also appeared on BBC Introducing to showcase his talent, which then lead him to gain management with DGP Music, and also caught the attention of others with his piano rendition of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

One fan on social media commented: "I've seen all of your covers on Youtube. I've been playing the piano for just over a year now, and one day I hope I'll be able to play like you."

The University of Bristol graduate said: "I was really excited when management reached out to me, I was definitely a bag of emotions as it’s my first UK concert, but I can’t wait for people to hear my material.

"I first started off playing in public in University where I won second place for my music, so to be where I am now seems surreal."

Despite his success, Suntah remains modest, saying: "Even though people out there say I may be the best in the world in five years' time, my main focus is that I’m still playing in five years.

"That’s my passion, composing and producing music, I’ve been playing for 16 years now - overall I’m just really humbled by the comments."

Suntah is due to play two shows in one night, one of them being ‘We Love Manchester’, where 10 percent of profits to towards rehabilitation centres, and ‘From Africa With Love’ which 10 percent of the proceeds will go towards Haven Centres in South Africa.

South Africa With Love night and a Valentines Day concert will both take place on February 11 at Manchester Cathedral, where Suntah plans to play romantic compositions such as Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.

He added: "I think there’s going to be such a selection of great talent, such as choirs, saxophonists, and amazing soul singers there so it’ll be a magical night".