A man who has had a passion to sing and dance from the age of three is set to appear on a televised talent show this Saturday.

Aaron Bentley, known on the show as AJ, is a contestant on BBC’s Let it Shine which is an eight week competition searching for five boys to form a band.

The 22-year-old is from Hythe, where he has lived all his life.

The program has aired since Saturday, January 7 and the judge line-up includes Take That lead singer Gary Barlow, Australian singer Dannii Minogue, Spandau Ballet’s bassist Martin Kemp and guest judge Amber Riley.

Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc present the show.

Mr Bentley, who has also appeared in the X Factor with former band Ryder, has been a keen dancer and performer at Instep Dance Company, based at Brockhill Park Performing Arts College in Saltwood.

He said: “Since I was three I fell in love with music and performing.

“Since I was three I fell in love with music and performing...' - AJ Bentley

“I always looked up to the likes of Robbie Williams, Take That, Olly Murs and Bruno Mars, but the list could go on.”

After leaving school at 18, Mr Bentley moved to London to study contemporary dance at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

That’s when his musical career began to take off.

He said: “After a year gigging around London with the band, we decided we wanted to take solo opportunities that came our way.

“For me, along came Let It Shine, which offered the chance to audition in front of Gary Barlow and the best choreographers and producers in the business.

“It was also an opportunity to be broadcast in front of millions, and I jumped at the chance.”

Let It Shine will welcome guest judges in each of the three stages of the competition.

The show starts at 7pm this Saturday on BBC1.

To follow Mr Bentley on his social media channels, search the user name AJBentleyUK.