Young star bares soul to prove a hit

He has been travelling the country supporting Amy Winehouse on tour and his music has been featured on the soundtrack to a hit US drama.

But emerging soul star Bryn Christopher got his first taste of showbiz in Lichfield. Since being plucked from obscurity to join Winehouse on her recent tour, Christopher, aged 22, from Great Barr, is fast making a name for himself as the latest hot UK soul singer.

As well as being featured on American drama Grey's Anatomy, Christopher's debut single The Quest was recently selected as BBC Radio 1's record of the week and is expected to rocket up the charts following its release yesterday.

The singer has certainly come a long way since performing alongside Jimmy Cricket at the Garrick Christmas panto.

The young hopeful, who has now been snapped up by Polydor Records, took to the stage in Lichfield with the Irish comedian back in 2003, playing Prince Charming at the theatre in Castle Dyke.

Eagle-eyed theatre-goers may also remember Christopher from his starring role in Lichfield Youth Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the city's cathedral.

Former Barr Beacon School pupil Bryn won the role of Joseph as a 16-year-old.

The current chair of the youth theatre Oliver Rowe said it was clear back then that Christopher would go far.

"I was musical director back then, and Bryn certainly stood out as being good," he said, "He was very hard-working and committed to rehearsals. He was a great guy and he's obviously doing really well."

The single The Quest was released yesterday. An album, My World, is set to follow on August 18. Bryn Christopher is on the line-up for the V Festival at Weston Park, Staffordshire, in August.