TWELVE months ago Mo Adeniran was working at the Village Hotel and spending any waking minute he had performing at gigs.

Now the 21-year-old singer has signed a lucrative record deal with Polydor Records, counts global superstar Jennifer Hudson as one of his friends and is the winner of the The Voice UK.

But in spite of a whirlwind few months Mo, who dreams of performing at Madison Square Garden, has always kept his feet on the ground.

The former St Gregory’s High School has revealed his shock after he was announced as the winner of the ITV series by host Emma Willis.

“I was actually surprised,” said the former hotel worker.

“The other acts had a very good online presence.

“I had just been focusing on making sure the songs were prepared.

“I’m still processing everything – I’ve not had time to stop since but the support has been amazing.”

Mo is already in the studio recording his EP – a moment he has dreamed of since he was a little boy. 

But life has not always been an easy journey.

After moving to Warrington from London at the age of seven, Mo spent his formative years in foster care.

He was also forced to come to terms with the sudden death of his close friend Jack Dakin who died alongside fellow Viola Beach band members and manager Craig Tarry following a crash in Sweden.

“We were best mates in high school and in a band together,” said the fan favourite, who counts Paulo Nutini as one of his biggest influences. 

“We used to have a battle of the bands competition at school and we would enter that together.

“We lived together when I was about 19.

“We supported each other in everything we did in.

“Viola Beach did inspire me.

“We did open mic nights and gigs together.”

The decision to enter The Voice UK was not something Mo had thought about before attending an open mic night at The Mulberry Tree in Stockton Heath – especially considering he has never watched the show before.

But with his winner’s single storming up the charts it’s clear Mo made the right decision. 

“I’m still getting to grips with everything and finding my feet,” he said.

“It feels like I’m learning to ride a bike but I’ve still got stabilisers on.”

The talented singer will be returning to Warrington tomorrow, Friday, to perform at The Halliwell Jones Stadium during half time as Warrington Wolves take on Leeds Rhinos.  

Mo’s song Unsteady is available now to stream and download.

THOUSANDS of people have spent their weekends cheering on talented singer Mo Adeniran from the comfort of their sofas and St Gregory’s High School music teacher Liam McKenzie is no exception.

Mr McKenzie, who helped the 21-year-old to hone his musical talents during his five years at the school off Cromwell Avenue, watched on with pride as Mo’s confidence and star quality grew week after week.

Mr McKenzie, who has worked at the school for 11 years, first met Mo when he was around 11 years old and he started his school career at St Gregory’s High School in year seven. 

He said: “I taught him music lessons and he started turning up at choir practice as he wanted to develop his singing skills.

“The school decided to do a concert really early on while he was still in year seven.

“He asked if he could do a solo and he did a mini audition and he blew us away.

“He had a really big voice for such a little boy as he was back then.”

There was no going back from his first performance and Mo was involved in a number of concerts as well as winning the annual battle of the band contest where he was named best vocalist.

Mo’s passion for singing was clear from the start and he even completed a GCSE in music.

He said: “He was a nice guy and always got involved with everything to do with the school and the community.

“I’m really proud. He has done St Gregory’s and Warrington really proud.

“He performed brilliantly and consistently throughout the full series.

“He was so enthusiastic and dedicated to his music.

“I was really chuffed for him when I saw him on the show and that he had been brave enough to put himself forward because it is so intense.

“The process is so rigorous and to put yourself in the public on a live stage is brave. To go on to win it was just incredible.”

Now Mr McKenzie is the proud owner of Mo’s winner’s single and has been listening to it on repeat since his win on Sunday.