Paul Potts, the winner of this year's hit reality TV contest, Britain's Got Talent, is a cross between pop singer William Hung and Italian opera legend Luciano Pavarotti.
The 36-year-old Welsh tenor's overnight success may sound like a fairytale but, in fact, the former mobile phone salesman has been honing his skills for decades as an amateur opera singer.
But entering the talent search would change things forever.
'It was the first time I felt I had any chance of doing anything, once I got through to the last round of the competition,' said Potts, who was in Hong Kong recently to promote his debut album, One Chance, a collection of opera arias and pop songs. The album made it to No 1 on the UK Albums Chart, and is also a bestseller in Australia.
Potts, who claims he was bullied at school and so lacked confidence, said singing was a form of escape. 'I feel safe when I start singing,' he said.
Potts said he fell in love with opera when he was 11.