BGT might not be initials that Andrew Derbyshire reflects on too fondly in reference to the hit television show, but adapt them to mean Burnley’s Got Talent then they could not be more apt.

At the weekend the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist returned to where his career in musical theatre began – Burnley Mechanics – bringing a taste of the West End with him.

Belying his Male Diva tag, he offered a piece of the limelight, and encouragement, to local youngsters (including dance group Energize and Mechanics-based Basics Junior Theatre School) while there were cameo appearances from Darwen-born former Chicago and Les Miserables star Carl Mullaney, who directed the show.

Andrew’s six-year-old niece Jolie, star of the Three Sing It Kitty, threatened to steal the limelight with her second act appearance – complete with cat in bicycle basket.

There was an impromptu Tina Turner duet with his sister Jodie too, and special mentions for all of his family on his homecoming.

But with the title An Evening with Andrew Derbyshire, there was no danger of the main man being upstaged, and he guided the audience through a journey of his career – from playing the fat Cat in Honk the Musical and a touching rendition of I’m Just Different to Freddie Mercury and the title song of the hit Queen musical Andrew starred in, We Will Rock You.

Andrew engaged with the audience, entertained with soul songs and belted out ballads beautifully, each song picked for its poignancy in relation to his story – and that spine-tingling voice is getting bigger and better.

Simon Cowell doesn’t know what he’s missing.

The audience lapped it all up, welcoming one of the town’s most famous sons – certainly the most flamboyant – home with open arms.