Andrew Johnston’s story is the stuff of fairytales. Raised in poverty and bullied at school for his love of classical music, the 13-year-old entered ITV show Britain’s Got Talent and instantly became a star.

His first soaring performance of Pie Jesu won him a standing ovation, a public following and reduced judge Amanda Holden to tears. But it was the reaction of the usually caustic Simon Cowell that changed the Carlisle school boy’s life.

Eliciting adjectives from the music mogul rarely heard (think ‘perfect’, ‘proud’ and ‘extraordinary’), Johnston lost the TV show's final but won a contract with Cowell’s record label SyCo Music.

This week, Johnston becomes a fully-fledged singing star with the release of his first album, One Voice.

As well as a recording of the song that made him famous – Pie Jesu - the album includes a version of the Eric Clapton ballad Tears in Heaven, the classic Watership Down track Bright Eyes and Walking in The Air from The Snowman soundtrack.

Here, in a Times Online exclusive, we bring you Johnston’s version of Make Me A Channel of Your Peace.

Listen here

One Voice is out now.

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