It was a Thriller of a night when Ben Bowman played to almost 2,000 people at the world famous London Palladium.

The former Sheppey schoolboy made his West End debut last night with his Michael Jackson tribute show.

But today he was avoiding the spotlight.

He left it to his proud mum Anita Butcher from Minster to comment on his biggest gig yet.

She said: "I had the most amazing time of my life watching my son Ben with his amazing band playing the London Palladium.

"They were absolutely fantastic. I am beyond proud."

She was not alone in praising the show.

His cousin Natasha Bennett-Knox gushed: "It was truly amazing to see my cousin perform.

"Words cannot describe how proud I am of him. He’s phenomenal. It was truly awesome show."

She even managed to snatch a few photographs from the stalls.

The only message Ben could manage was a short video clip from the star dressing room backstage just before the show, showing him washing his Jackson wig in the shower.

He said: "Never dreamed I’d be here at the London Palladium in the star dressing room, washing my hair!"

Pat Lawrence from Sheppey said: "We were all proud to know him when we looked round that packed theatre and saw everyone on their feet cheering, clapping and singing."

Karen Boiling added:"It was a fantastic night. I loved every minute.

"The lovely couple sitting next to us had travelled up from South Wales and they loved it, too."

Louise Trinder said: "It was an amazing show. I couldn't have loved it more" and Jan Vowles added: "Ben done us all proud. The whole show was amazing.

"It brought a tear to my eyes to think that after just 10 years he has made it from Isle of Sheppey to the London Palladium. We were all so very proud of him."

Ben's next show is this Friday (April 12) at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.

He will also be at O2 in June.