POP superstar Kylie is a fan and now Joe Keegan, star of the hit talent show The Voice, will release his debut EP tomorrow.

The Westhoughton singer-songwriter will launch The Pick Myself Up EP on his 21st birthday.

Former Thornleigh Salesian College pupil found fame on the BBC show in 2014 and won over the Australian singer who mentored him. Although he didn’t win, he continued with his ambitions in music and won a place at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music.

Joe, who now lives in Manchester for his studies, said: “The Voice was a fantastic experience for me. It meant that I could take music and the prospect of a career as a singer-songwriter more seriously.

“I can remember it being a lot to take in as a 16-year-old standing on the side of the stage ready to walk on thinking that about 10 million people were going to see the next 15 minutes of my life and its resulted in me being able to travel the country playing music which is essentially the dream."

The EP features five songs influenced by his Irish heritage and BBC 2 Folk Award-winning fiddle player Ciaran Algar also plays on the EP.

Joe added: “The first song on the EP, ‘The Weather Could be Better’ really showcases that folk influence, played by really gifted fiddle player friend of mine Ciaran. As the EP continues the songs get progressively more pop orientated so I think as a collection of tunes it’s a really interesting blend that has an appeal to lovers of folk music and a more standard crowd of people who just love straight up pop songs. After such a long period of writing and recording it’ll be an amazing feeling for this to be out and to see what people think of it. I guess my ambition was to create a group of uplifting, easy listening songs that stick in your head and you won’t want to stop singing."

The launch will take place in the Northern Quarter tomorrow and Joe is hoping more people tune in to his music. Joe's EP is available on soundcloud.com and he will headline this year’s Manchester Irish Festival and perform at The Deaf Institute on March 1.

“My degree at the RNCM has been invaluable in opening my eyes to opportunities to make a good living from all the different areas of the music industry but I know for sure that I can’t do anything other than music its definitely the right thing for me,” said Joe, who is hoping his EP will help him land a record deal.

He said: “Still trying for that illusive record deal though but we’ll keep working and who knows, hopefully one day."