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Busker looks to prove he's got Talent
Tuneful melodies from his electric piano accordion have attracted many a penny from Preston shoppers over the last 24 years.
But can Ashton's Stephen Rimmer achieve the ultimate goal – impress Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell?
The 42-year-old, who entertains shoppers most days of the week outside British Home Stores in Fishergate, is set to audition at the Manchester Central exhibition centre on November 29 in the hope of becoming next year's Royal Variety Performance showcase act.
And Stephen has had plenty of practice – he plays full-time for up to seven hours a day in Preston or Leyland most days of the week, and has been doing so for nearly a quarter of a century.
He said: "I'm very nervous. I'm hoping to blow Simon Cowell away.
"The judges seem all right on the television, but Simon Cowell seems to be a very difficult man to please.
"I've still not yet decided what I'm playing, but want to do something to impress Simon and the others."
Stephen revealed he is set to emigrate to Colorado in the United States where he hopes to marry his fiancee Sheriann, who he met on the internet – but it is not going to get in his way of stardom.
He added: "She has not been over here but we talk for hours every night.
"If I get through, I will make sure I come back for the later auditions."
Stephen enjoys performing a wide range of melodies including Irish, Italian and Spanish tunes but has noticed busking is a lot more difficult than when he started.
He said: "I started as I needed some money basically and being a musician it was stupid not to do it – I studied classical piano for eight years.
"There's a lot more people who busk and a lot more competition from people who beg.
"I do this as a full-time source of income and it has been more difficult because of the recession.
"But it can be good and it's better than the alternative of being in an office or signing on the dole."
When asked how much he earns, he said: "I wouldn't like to say. It's a trade secret."
Stephen taught himself the piano accordion using books and now owns a stylish white electric piano accordion bought for 1,600.
When asked how difficult it is to play, he said: "I find it easy, but I know a lot of people who have tried and say it is very hard."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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