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Daniel Hewitt was 21 when he won the Stoke's Got Talent competition in 2008. His prize was to star alongside Jonathan Wilkes and Claire Sweeney in the 2008 Regent Theatre pantomime every night of its run.
He's since appeared on the Paul O'Grady show on TV too.

Daniel says, despite the pressure of performing in the pantomime, he had an amazing time and it was one of the best things he has ever done.

However, the fame and new pace of life was all rather sudden - and very demanding!

Open Mic

2009 was a good year for Daniel. He made it through to the national final of a big UK competition called Open Mic UK, where he beat thousands of applicants to reach theÌý finals in December in Manchester.

If he hadcome in the top two then he would have been travelling the UK performing in over 100 gigs. He would also have received £25,000 worth of funding and a professionally recorded solo single.
He came achingly close - he came third.

Keeping busy

Anyone who followed last year’s Stoke’s Top Talent will know that Daniel is a keen amateur boxer. He is still boxing although he’s very busy.

He runs at least 12 miles a week to try and look his best for the upcoming competition. Daniel also works part-time in a call centre and part-time as a performer.

Daniel had applied and got a place at The Academy of Theatre Arts in Wolstanton but had to withdraw from it because he is so busy.

Daniel adds, “I went to see a couple of Stoke’s Top Talent 2009 heats and sang ‘Ain’t that a kick in the head’ with Jonathan Wilkes during the final. It was really fun. I have made quite a few celebrity friends. The darts champion Phil Taylor is a good lad and also Pete Conway (Robbie Williams' Dad).�

Mr. Hewitt also fronts the Trent River Big Band.
One of the members saw Daniel’s Paul O’Grady performance and asked his dad if he would consider joining them. Daniel learned a few of their songs and they agreed that he was the right person for the job.

Arts Ambassador

Daniel has been named ‘Arts Ambassador’ for upSTAGE theatre school, in Nantwich. His job will involve giving advice and tips to further the students’ careers.

He says, “The upstage director contacted me after seeing my videos on YouTube. He asked if I could come down to the school and show that a normal lad can be successful with a lot of hard work. They do a very good job there and have had several success stories. I like what they do and agreed to back them.�

Su Annagib

Daniel received a call from Stoke’s Top Talent 2009 winner, Su Annagib, the day after she found out she had won the competition. She asked Daniel for some of advice and he told her that if she is serious about being a performer it takes a lot of hard work.

Daniel believes that is the reason he has been so successful since Stoke’s Top Talent. He kept a lot of contacts along the way.

He admits, “After the panto you’re on your own - and you need a lot of hard work to continue to be recognised.�