A TEENAGE singer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his music idol Ed Sheeran.

Josh Taylor is appearing in his fifth show with Youth Music Theatre (YMT) — once attended by the star singer.

The 16-year-old also writes his own music and is set to perform in a production of Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music at the Rose Theatre in London.

Josh, a former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil, said: “We are rehearsing for that at the moment.

“I’ve been doing it since I was 11. This is my fifth show that I have done with them.

“I love doing all my musical theatre. They are a great company to work with.”

As well as writing his songs, Josh, who will begin a musical theatre course at Pendleton College, Salford, next month, regularly performs at gigs.

He appeared at the Soccer Six Celebrity Football Tournament and will also support X Factor finalist, Nicholas McDonald, on his tour.

YMT is one of the country’s leading music theatre companies for young people, aged 11 to 21.

Other successful former members include Brit Award-winner singer Sam Smith, as well as 23-year-old Ed.

Speaking of enjoying similar success, Josh, who lives in Horwich, said: “That would be amazing. Ed Sheeran is one of my idols. It would just be great.”

Soul Music is Terry Pratchett’s 16th Discworld novel and follows the short-lived but glamorous musical career of The Band With Rocks In.

Josh, who plays the band’s manager, said: “It’s a great show — it’s mixing modern-day music into a musical. It’s really good. It’s right up my street.”

And on the drama front, Josh is due to travel to Leeds to audition for a part in crime series DCI Banks.

Soul Music is being staged at the Rose Theatre from August 28 to 31.