BRADFORD singer-songwriter Asher Knight is preparing to embark on a UK tour with X-Factor winners Rak-Su later this year.

And he has completed a tour of high schools, including speaking to pupils in Bradford as part of a UK programme of talks about mental health.

The 21-year-old is excited about his forthcoming tour with Rak-Su, where he will be performing in locations including Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.

“We are in rehearsals at the moment. They are great guys - I think it is going to be the best show I have ever done,” he said.

Asher discovered his passion for music and singing aged 16 and was initially reluctant to pursue a career in the music industry after suffering from low self-esteem and bullying at school.

But he channelled all his energy into his craft and built up a career.

As part of his tour of schools Asher, who grew up in Wrose, spoke to pupils at Dixons Allerton Academy, drawing on his own struggles and how he overcomes them. He also performed a number of songs, including his latest single Too Much To Ask For.

Young people are subject to a lot of pressure surrounding body image, he said. “It could be feeling that you should always be at the gym and be muscular, or you have to have Kylie Jenner lips - there are so many different things, but none of us is perfect.

“I remind them there is no such thing as perfection. We all look different - if we all looked the same life would be very boring. We should be confident about the way we look.”

London-based Asher - who has this year spoken at around 20 schools across the country - stresses the important of knowing who to talk to, such as a parent, guardian, or health professional.

He added: “After I have finished some pupils come up to me and cry and say they have been struggling, or message me to say they are going to speak to someone who can help.

“We did a question and answer session, and some of the teachers said they were surprised by the honesty of my answers.”

He feels privileged to be able to speak to the students and hopes he can inspire some of them to follow their dreams. “Life is not easy, but if I can inspire one or two that would be great, but above all I hope I can inspire them to be kind and look out for one another.”

Asher has built an impressive catalogue of songs, working alongside writing greats including Cutfather, Mark Owen, Jon Maguire, Red Triangle, Olly Murs, James Blunt and many more.

His career has taken him on multiple tours across the length and breadth of the UK, supporting the likes of The Vamps, Boyzone, Steps, Will Young, All Saints and others.

After two successful singles already released this year which collated over 180,000 streams alone on Spotify, and an outstanding performance on CBBC’s Saturday Live Mash-Up. Asher has teamed up with singer-songwriter John Newman in his latest single ‘Too Much to Ask For.’

The track echoes a common void that many people experience, which is the heartache of finding love within society. “The song is all about love being something we all want in life but sometimes it’s something not easy to find and can be a challenging experience, but if we keep trying, we hope, love will find its way to us,” said Asher.

He loves coming home to Bradford. “My family has always supported me. When I feel like I am struggling they are always there to pick me up.I am fortunate to have such great parents.”

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Watch Too Much to Ask for on YouTube