SINGING sensation James Walsh is on a golden path to stardom — three years after a life-changing condition left the teenage talent in a wheelchair.

The Ribble Valley student, whose burning ambition is to sing professionally, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.

Now the courageous 16-year-old, who has fought his way past hundreds of hopefuls to the regional final of Open Mic UK singing competition, will join some of the best unsigned singer-songwriters, rappers and vocalists in the land as they bid for glory next month.

“I woke up in the middle of the night and I was paralysed,” recalled James, who lives in Slaidburn with his parents Sean and Shona.

“One minute I was playing rugby as a prop forward at Bowland High School and the next I couldn’t move.

He spent several months at Manchester Children’s Hospital fighting the debilitating condition, eventually recovering his mobility.

“It was a terrible shock when it happened and a very frightening experience.

“It was music and the love of my parents that kept me going.”

James’s condition meant he could only attend school part-time, but he defied the odds to claim a host of top grades in his GCSE examinations this summer.

Now he is studying for an A-level in Film Studies and a vocational musical performance at Blackburn College.

“Thirty per cent of people never recover from transverse myelitis, but they can control my condition to a certain extent,” added James.

“It can happen at any time.

“I have good days and bad days and I’ve got to accept that I might have the condition for the rest of my life.

“But I want to talk about it, so hopefully other people with the condition will see me as an inspiration.

“The drive and determination to do this has come from my illness.

“But I want to be remembered for what I do in music , not for tranverse myelitis.”

James says he owes a great debt to Clitheroe Grand Theatre’s Be My Band project, aimed at youngsters who want to improve their musicianship while playing in a band.

“I was part of Be My Band, and also the singing and acting school Backstage Pass, and I don’t think I could have done all this with my music without the Grand’s help,” said James, who fronted Lois and the Lads in Be My Band.

“I never knew I could sing until I went to the Grand and I owe an awful lot to them because they believed in me and that’s where it all began really.”

James, who is also a huge Blackburn Rovers supporter, added: “When I was in hospital I would play my guitar by the side of the bed.

“I needed something to focus on and when I came home I knew I wanted it more then ever – to be a singer.”

His proud mum Shona said: “James never fails to amaze us with his courage and determination.

“When it first happened we didn’t know whether James would walk again or recover his full faculties.

“He has been through so much with his condition, but to see this confident, amazing young man emerge, playing his music and enjoying life is so special.”

James, who won through to the Northern final with his song Bubble, added: “I want to be one of the lads.

“I love my football and listening to the Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, David Bowie, The Who, Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

“I’m just in love with music and one day I want that to be my career.”

James will be also be performing at a charity show at Accrington Golf Club on October 15.