YOUNG Declan Galbraith will sing in front of a packed celebrity audience when Chris Tarrant celebrates 40 years in showbusiness. The 10-year-old from St John's Road , Hoo, near Rochester, has been given the chance to perform three songs at the glamorous party for the veteran radio presenter, in the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London, on June 11.

Declan, of St John's Road, Hoo, was given the honour of helping pop star sensations Atomic Kitten carry the Jubilee flame into St Paul's Cathedral last Thursday. He then sang Amazing Grace to a congregation featuring 1,500 recovered cancer patients, MPs, peers and representatives from various other cancer charities. Declan said he found the experience overwhelming. He said the walk to the front of the church was the longest walk he had ever done.

He was also struck by the quiet in the church as he is used to playing to chatting punters in pubs and clubs.

And he was delighted to meet his singing idols. His mother, Siobhan, said: "Atomic Kitten gave him their autographs. They were amazed by his singing. He thought they were very nice."

The Millennium Flame, which was first lit by the Queen on December 31, has been carried by more than 50 torchbearers during the last month to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The role was particularly significant for Declan, whose own grandmother, two aunts and an also an uncle have all died from the disease.

In July, Declan, who goes to English Martyrs School, in Frindsbury Road, Strood, will appear alongside Michael Bolton in a special episode of Songs of Praise in Staffordshire. In December he will perform in a carol service at St Paul's Cathedral. His album, for which he signed a £1 record deal with EMI, is due out in September.