A Fife teenager has spoken of his dreams of stage stardom after winning a prestigious youth competition.
Aaron MacGregor, 14, has loved all things musical theatre from a young age, having performed in Oliver at the Edinburgh Fringe and now starring in productions across the country
Last month the schoolboy from Crossgates achieved his biggest success yet – winning the prestigious ‘West End Calling’ competition’s 8-16 category.
Aaron told STV News: “It involved a few different rounds, it started off in Edinburgh, we went down to Manchester for the semi-finals and then the grand final in London.
“It involves singing and acting and it’s judged on if you can put all the things together and be all-round the best performer.”
Judged by four top professionals from the industry including Freddie King, Emma Kingston, Jodie Steele and Lauren Drew, Aaron received a standing ovation from the judges after performing Michael In The Bathroom from ‘Be More Chill’.
The judges were said to be speechless after his performance, with one telling Aaron “Broadway for you!”
“I really wasn’t expecting to do that (win the final),” Aaron said. “I was going down and I was pretty shocked to be down there.”
The teenager was cheered on by his devoted parents, who have put in the hard yards taking their son across the country to follow his passion.
Aaron’s mum Ashley said: “We knew he would do quite well.
“To win it? No we didn’t know he was going to win it.
“A boy from Scotland, the only one from Scotland to get into the final – and then he goes and actually wins the whole thing. Unbelievable! But so, so proud of him.”
Judge Lauren Drew believes Aaron has a very bright future, and hopes one day to work with him on the West End.
She said: “It was when he started singing, it was kind of undeniable.
“It was pretty instant that we all just looked and at each other and were like ‘well that’s our winner’.”
Aaron has big aspirations to make it big in musical theatre, but he’s determined not to get ahead of himself.
On the future, he said: “In the next few years I’m looking just to get my National 5s and some Highers in high school.
“And then, hopefully, go down to university in London for musical theatre and get some jobs down in London.”
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