A HARD-WORKING teenager will be heading to London’s West End after gaining a spot in the grand final of a national singing competition.

Callum Latham, 17, from Alexandria has earned himself a place in the grand final of West End Calling after first auditioning before the pandemic began.

He auditioned back in 2019 and has since wowed panels made up of west end performers to beat other hopefuls to a place in the final of the prestigious competition.

Currently studying HND Musical Theatre, he performed in the semi-finals earlier this month in Manchester. He performed in front of West End performers Aimee Fisher, who has appeared in Wicked, Les Miserables and Waitress, and Monique Ashe-Palmer, of Waitress and Madagascar, who hand picked him to be in the final in London in next month.

Callum said: “I am really excited to be performing on a west end stage and being part of what will be an incredible showcase of talent.

“Performing is what I love to do most. From my first stage appearance with Singer Station school of music at the age of six, to being a member of Clydebank Musical Society. Its been all I’ve wanted to do.

“Special thank you have to go to my family, for their support and encouragement over the years. And also to my vocal coach Marina Kelman and college tutors for all your help in preparation for the final.”

West End Calling is a nationwide musical theatre singing competition for young performers which auditions all over the UK. Contestants audition and receive feedback from a variety of different West End stars during the process of the competition. It begins, with a private audition followed by two public performances leading up to the grand final.

Ms Fisher said: “I knew they would be good, but these performances were next level.

“It’s so nice to see so many young people passionate about performing especially after so long without theatre. I wish I was that talented when I was their age.”

To find out more information and to buy tickets for the show visit charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/west-end-calling.