CHOIRBOY Noel Hunwick has sung himself to a starring role in a top telly detective series.

Noel, 14, from Hoddlesden, will get to appear opposite veteran actress Patricia Routledge in the next series of the locally-made Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

Noel, who sings at Blackburn Cathedral, plays a spoilt youngster in a junior singing competition whose rivals keep being "nobbled".

Noel was suggested for the part by choirmaster Gordon Stewart and landed it after an audition in Manchester.

"This is the first thing I've ever done," said the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil, who was as surprised as anyone to get the role.

"I've done a rehearsal in London and we'll be filming in a couple of weeks which I'm very excited about.

"All of my scenes involve Patricia Routledge and it's a bit difficult not to be over-awed when you go in the canteen with all these people around you."

Noel's mum and dad Joan and Phil and brother Chris, 18, will be anxiously watching Noel's debut performance, but the youngster is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"I'd like to be an actor if I could, but it just depends on whether anybody would want me," he said.

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