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STARSTRUCK'S JOSH HINDLE
Local singing sensation Josh Hindle made his television debut on Saturday 19th February on ITV's new primetime show Starstruck.
30-year-old Josh, who is well known locally for his Michael Bublé tribute act and also a member of Rochdale Musical Theatre Company, gave an incredible performance as part of Team Bublé in front of celebrity judges Adam Lambert, Sheridan Smith, Jason Manford and Beverley Knight, plus presenter Olly Murs. Style caught up with Josh, to find out more about his Starstruck experience and his future plans... Style: How does it feel to know over 4 million people watched you sing on national television? Josh: Scary, very scary! But amazing at the same time! It was so strange knowing that I already knew what happened but didn’t know how it looked or sounded. So although it was all done and filmed, there was still a really nerve wracking feeling of what the overall look would be and how the public would react. Thankfully, it was amazing and the reaction was incredible and very overwhelming. It took a long time to get through the outpour of love and support from everyone I know – the best feeling ever!
How would you describe the whole experience? Bonkers! The whole show idea was to give ordinary people a taste of what it’s like to be on a stage of that magnitude and we were literally treated like stars. The process was around six months of auditions, call backs, meetings, rehearsals etc and it probably took longer than it should as we still had some covid restrictions in place which made it tricky. From rehearsing with vocal coaches who work with Little Mix and Rita Ora to name a couple, costume departments from Dancing On Ice, Strictly and The Masked Singer, plus hair and make up from massive shows – it was all amazing and I met some incredible people (shout out to Jordan and Jack, my team mates who I am now best mates with!).
It was insane to hang out with Olly Murs and the incredible judges who were all so lovely and offered us brilliant advice we could take forward with us. Where did your love of swing come from? I think it came from singers who are keeping swing music going. I have always been into ‘older’ / ‘retro’ music and always had a different taste in music to my friends. I think it was Robbie Williams who inspired me and made me fall in love with that big band sound with his Royal Albert Hall concert ‘Swing When You’re Winning’. Then of course, I’ve always listened to Michael Bublé and just love the great American song book. I love swing because it's so free and you can express yourself so much within the music and you can really let yourself go and have fun with it.