An acoustic guitarist from Tooting has won the Boris Johnson’s Rhythm of London Busking Underground competition.
Jamie West beat ten other finalists aged 16 to 25 in the live “busk-off” at the O2 Arena on September 17.
The 23-year-old won a year’s busking license to perform on the London Underground.
Jamie has already built up a young fan base at Earlsfield library in south London, where he works part-time singing and reading books to young children.
He said: “I’m overjoyed.
"Hopefully winning will be a springboard for my career so I can get my music out to a whole heap of people.
"I’m now on the lookout for a manager to help me take my career to the next level.”
The Tunley Road resident started playing guitar at age seven and he decided to pursue music as a career after attending a Dire Straits concert.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I take my hat off to Jamie and the finalists.
"They show that London is brimming with talented young musicians.”
All of the busking performances can be viewed at london.gov.uk/rhythmoflondon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here