'Bullied' boy wows Talent judges

Updated 13.48 Mon Apr 14 2008

Keywords: piers morgan, amanda holden, simon cowell, ITV, britain, andrew johnston, talent

Teenager Andrew Johnston wowed Britain's Got Talent judges in the first-round of the TV show with his cherubic voice.

The 13-year old was one of a handful of acts, including contortionist Iona Luvsandorj, comedian Craig Harper and pop group Scala which made it through to the next round.

The 13-year old was one of a handful of acts which made it threw to the next round

Johnston performed Pie Jesu which left one of the judges, Amanda Holden in tears.

His amazing singing voice was discovered by a teacher when he was seven.

He has also had a particularly harsh upbringing in which he survived on a diet of bread and milk and was bullied for his love of opera.

He is currently head chorister in his home city of Carlisle.

Johnston said on the TV show: "I've been bullied since I was six because my mates have been telling me to leave the singing. They don't like that kind of music."

One of the judges, Simon Cowell asked him how he dealt with the bullies, he added: "I carry on singing."

Holden told him: "You could knock all those bullies out with that voice."

Johnston is favourite to win the ITV show which pulled in an audience of 10.6 million viewers last night.

The last series of Britain's Got Talent was won by Carphone Warehouse manager-turned opera singer Paul Potts.