A TEEN singing sensation is hoping to top the pop charts next year after being signed up by the man who formed boybands Busted, McFly and Lawson.
Sam Callahan, of Great Totham, wowed dozens of excited fans when he performed at Maldon's Christmas fayre last week.
But the 18-year-old, who already has more than 11,000 followers on Twitter, is hoping to make it big in 2013 after being managed by pop-band mogul John McLaughlin.
In May, Sam, who has been touring with X Factor's District 3, left the band he had been in for two and a half years, which was managed by Geri Halliwell, to concentrate on his solo career.
He said: "It was absolutely fantastic performing in my hometown.
"Usually I need to get the crowd going but the atmosphere was fantastic and I couldn't believe how many people were there.
"You still get the odd comment shouted at you by teenage boys, but I'm up there performing, doing what I love, so I just ignore it."
Sam, who attended the William de Ferrers school, left after bullies made his life a misery and beat 900 budding stars to scoop a top scholarship to the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where he made friends with the District 3 boys and Nathan Sykes from chart-topping band The Wanted.
Sam was the main attraction at the Making Maldon Magical evening.
And 2013 is expected to be a big year for the 18-year-old, who will be supporting X Factor's Union J too on a number of shows in Scotland.
Sam's mum, Tracey Callahan, said: "We're so proud of Sam and it was great for him to perform in his own town.
"We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout, Sam's got a big following in Scotland, where his manager is based, and in the North but not so much down here, so it was absolutely fantastic."
It was at stage school that Sam was spotted by a scout from 19 Management three years ago and joined a band managed by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
But after failing to make it big, Sam left the band to pursue a solo career.
He said: "I'm definitely a believer in what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and suffering bullying only made me more determined to succeed.
"Deciding to leave the band this year was the hardest decision to make, but it wasn't right for me. I wanted to make it as a more credible artist, writing my own material.
"This decision is what my new single Runaway Train is all about."
After starring roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Sound of Music, Sam originally wanted to be an actor, but his goal is chart domination now.
He added: "The best thing you can do to silence those people who say you won't make it is to be successful, so I want to make it big.
"I love performing and have been writing music since I was 14, so I really just want to carry this on and be as successful as I can."
You can download Sam's single on iTunes or visit www.samcallahan.co.uk for more information or follow @samcallahan94 on Twitter.
