AN international singing sensation who has wowed audiences around the world has thanked his grandparents for being one of the keys to his success.

Andrew Coleman, 22, has only ten per cent vision because of glaucoma but has learnt to play the piano and writes his own songs.

And he got through to the last 30 of ITV talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002, which launched the careers of Girls Aloud.

Gransparents Gordon and Joan Hunter of Whalley Road, Blackburn, have helped look after him since he was born and diagnosed with the condition.

The couple, who are the parents of Andrew's mother Anne Coleman, 54, even bought him a piano.

Now, as his career begins to take off, he has paid tribute to their dedication.

Andrew, from Liverpool, said: "They have been a great support to me.

"They're very active and always come to my shows.

"They've always been there when I've needed them for as long as I can remember."

Andrew's dad Jim Coleman, 64, said: "When Andrew was born, Gordon and Joan travelled everyday from Blackburn to the hospital in Liverpool to see him.

"They have supported him throughout his life and deserve a thank you.

"They've been there when others didn't help out and are smashing people."

Joan, 79, said: "We are immensely proud of him.

"He's overcome such a lot of difficulties and it's marvellous really.

"We have supported Andrew all of his life, like we support all of our grandchildren."

After the disappointment of Popstars The Rivals, Andrew was interviewed on the Radio 4 show In Touch', and met with multi-platinum record producer Robin Millar.

Robin, who is also registered as blind, produced 'Smooth Operator' with Sade and has worked with The Manic Street Preachers.

With his help, Andrew appeared at The Royal Albert Hall in December 2004, performing two songs of his own for the United Nations concert for the Darfur refugees, appearing alongside Mick Hucknell, Cat Stevens, Chrissie Hynde and Alison Moyet.

Greek singer Mario Frangoulis, hailed as the next great tenor, also performed in the show and was so impressed with Andrew's voice and the song he had written for the occasion, he asked Andrew to write some songs for him.

Recently Mario made contact with Andrew and invited him to Athens to sing at a fundraising concert for AIDS orphans.

Andrew performed three songs on the piano. The third song "Wounded Heart" was a song he had written for Mario and they performed it together as a duet.

Mario's management team were so delighted with his performance they have invited Andrew to have his own concert in Cyprus and to sing again with Mario in future concerts around the world.

Andrew has at least ten more charity events in Liverpool before Christmas.

Most of them are to raise money for children who were born with a medical problem.

He is now busy fitting performances and writing around an honours degree course at LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts).