SOUL singer Beverley Knight told a rising Gourock singer to keep chasing his dream of West End stardom.

Scott Nichol says he was left starstruck when he and his friends bumped into the Beverley following her performance in the smash-hit musical Memphis, which charts the rise of R&B in the deep south of the US.

Scott told the Tele: “Me and my friends went to see Memphis in London’s west end.

“Beverley was incredible in it.

“We were so lucky to meet her afterwards and she was lovely.

“She also told us to never stop pursuing our dreams, just to keep going for what we want.” The talented 18-year-old former Clydeview Academy pupil is just about to start his second year at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

He said: “My first year has been really good and I feel that I’ve got what I wanted from it.

“I’m getting much stronger in all areas that I’m training in.

“I’ve just passed all my first year exams so I’m going into second year on a high, knowing that I’ve done well.

“My dream is still to star in a West End show and hopefully one day I’ll achieve that.” Scott, who hails from Finnie Terrace, is certainly making his mark at the world-renowned academy.

He has landed a solo performance in their summer show at the Shaw Theatre in London’s King Cross, running from 24 to 26 July.

Earlier this month he also sang in the school’s internal production of the ‘Book of Mormon’.

Hardworking Scott, who juggles his studies with his job in the Nando’s, is coming home next month to do some PR work at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Anyone who is interested in supporting Scott with his studies, is invited to a race night he has organised in the Greenock Dockers Club on 14 August.

To buy tickets, email scottnichol@talktalk.net or briannichol2@talktalk.net