Pop sensation Leona Lewis wowed pupils at her former school after a surprise visit.
The X Factor star came to the Brit School in Croydon to talk to the kids about establishing a career in music.
She showed around Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, who were there to discuss the implications of digital piracy on the next generation of performing artists.
The group were shown some of the school’s dance, theatre and computing lessons.
They were then treated to a music performance by a group of year 12 students, with Mr Bradshaw singing along to Son of A Preacher Man while Lord Mandelson clapped merrily.
They then chatted to the kids about how digital technology can help propel their careers, but must be fair and compensate them for their talents.
Miss Lewis said: “I had a great time at the Brit School, it encouraged my creative talent and gave me an understanding of the music business as well as getting an education at the same time.
“I learnt how the performance industries actually work and how much work goes on behind the scenes into creating, recording and releasing a song.
“It’s important that people understand how copyright means that performers and writers can actually end up making a living out of their work.”
Lord Mandelson outlined his plans to make sure artists are not left out of pocket by digital piracy, but stopped short of promising banning those who download music illegally.
He said: “Downloading somebody’s work without paying for it - whether it be music, film or computer games - is not a victimless crime.
“In the end this problem will be solved not simply by new laws but by new approaches to doing business.
“We believe that temporary account suspension, as a last resort, in the most serious cases, is worth consideration to allow these new business models to develop.”
Mr Bradshaw said: “Britain’s got talent, and the Brit school is a shining example of that.”
Lord Mandelson’s comments follow a rant by popstar Lilly Allen on her blog criticising those who download files illegally.
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