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By Daily Mail Reporter
BGT's next big thing: Christopher Stone has been tipped as the talent show's big sensation after his rendition of Maria from West Side StoryHe's already being tipped as the next big sensation on Britain's Got Talent, and a win for shy singer Christopher Stone would be the perfect reply to bullies who made his early years a living hell.
The 29-year-old accountant from Harrogate, North Yorkshire won praise from the show's judging and received a standing ovation from the audience for his performance of Maria from West Side Story.
But his love of music led to years of bullying when he was at school, with vile thugs taunting him and beating him up because of his passion.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE FOOTAGE OF CHRISTOPHER'S PERFORMANCE...
Christopher told The Sun newspaper: 'I was bullied from day one until the day I left. Day in, day out.
'It started off being physical and became mental afterwards - but the mental bullying was worse by far.
'Bruises heal but the pain from mental bullying doesn't just go away.'
The years of bullying left Christopher nervous and shy, something that was clearly evident in his performance on the talent show on Saturday night.
Judge Simon Cowell, 50, commented: 'Christopher, the issue with you is your lack of conviction and lack of self-belief from you... I think you've got a really, really good voice. Do we have a star?'
In fact, he was so shy, that it was left to his mother Janine to secretly enter him into the competition and pursue his dream of becoming a singer.
Shy: The accountant's performance was punctuated by his nervousness but he still managed to impress the judging panel who put him through to the next roundChristopher explained that, during his school years, he was considered a freak by fellow pupils who failed to understand his love of music - with one student in particular beating him up on several occasions.
He told The Sun: 'They called me a girl, a poof, all sorts of things. I liked music, I was a freak - that's what they thought.'
Of the beatings, he added: 'It was punching mainly, fists flying.
'There were three or four occasions with one person and it took that long for the school to expel that boy.'
Finally, his father sold their family home to fund a move to the renowned Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.
Already being compared with previous stars like Paul Potts and Susan Boyle, Christopher said: 'I loved it there. I'd gone from a school where I was very much singled out and bullied to a place where I was absolutely so happy, and full of joy.
Support: Christopher's father Malcolm sold the family home to fund his son's move to a specialist music school'People were finally like me and it was wonderful to share music. I owe everything to my dad.'
The singer said he wants to win the £100,000 prize so that he can repay the debt.
He said: ‘My dad sold his house when I was 16 so he could afford to put me into music school and then university.
‘He sold a lovely three-bedroom semi with a big garden and moved into a small, two-bedroom flat above an Indian takeaway so I could follow my dream.
‘In total my parents have probably spent about £60,000 on all my various fees and lessons.
‘But when I was 20, I dropped out of music school because I could no longer afford the fees. Now this is my big chance to follow my dream again."
‘I'm going to try my best for my parents. If I won and got the £100,000 I would look after my dad now that he's an OAP.’
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