Gills' chairman Paul Scally is backing a young opera sensation on his road to stardom.

The Gillingham FC boss is sponsoring 15-year-old Matthew Crane from High Halstow, the UK’s youngest operatic baritone singer.

Mr Scally will be providing funds for the Gads Hill School pupil’s singing and music lessons.

Matthew’s mum Shirleyanne Williams said: "Mr Scally heard Matthew sing at a business event in March and was really impressed.

“The money will make a real difference to us. It will be put towards Matthew’s singing lessons and his piano lessons. We are so grateful. Mr Scally is like his fairy godfather.”

Matthew, a former Star4Medway winner, has sung for Jordan and Peter Andre and performed alongside G4 and Katherine Jenkins. He made it to the boot camp stage of last year’s X-Factor and won the ITV talent show Let Me Entertain You.

Mr Scally said: “Matthew has a phenomenal gift which needs to be shared with a wider audience. “I am delighted to support him in his career and hopefully we can nurture that talent and achieve the success he deserves.”