A performing arts student from Bradford beat off competition from thousands of hopefuls to perform alongside a Broadway composer at a concert this weekend.

Daniel Gregory, 21, a third year musical theatre student at Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford, won composer Jonathan Reid Gealt’s coveted singing competition with his rendition of a song called Quiet from the composer’s album Here For You.

He beat thousands of online entries submitted over summer to perform alongside Mr Reid Gealt at a special concert taking place at St James’s Theatre, London, tomorrow.

The concert, showcasing new musical theatre songs, will feature Daniel singing Mr Reid Gealt’s track I Won’t Have To Anymore. He will appear alongside West End stars such as Summer Strallen.

Daniel, a former pupil of St Bede’s Catholic Grammar School in Heaton, studied drama and dance at Stage 84 in Idle. He played Chuck in the musical Footloose at the Alhambra, aged 18.

“It was the scariest moment of my life, but after that I knew that I wanted to be a performer,” said Daniel. “When I found out I had won the competition to sing I Won’t Have to Anymore, one of Jonathan Reid Gealt's songs, on stage with him I was in shock.

“It didn’t actually kick in until I received the sheet music from him personally. It’s going to be the biggest night of my life and career to date – I can’t wait to get up there and give it my best.”

Daniel’s next role is Dandini in Cinderella at the Spa Theatre, Bridlington, this Christmas.