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Tom Grennan proud to sing in 'beautiful Bedford'

Alex Pope,Bedford Parkand
Mariam Issimdar
Cuffe and Taylor Tom Grennan singing on stage. He holds a microphone and his mouth is wide open. He wears dark glasses and a black T-shirt and has tattoos on his arms. Cuffe and Taylor
Tom Grennan wowed fans at his gig described as a "homecoming show" in Bedford Park

Singer Tom Grennan hailed his homecoming gig in Bedford, saying it "wasn't just my show, but everybody's show".

He took to the stage at the Bedford Summer Sessions festival, in Bedford Park on Saturday.

Speaking to the BBC before the gig the 31-year-old said: "I've always wanted to make my home town proud and I feel like tonight I'm gonna do that.

"It's a celebration of somebody who has done alright from Bedford and I'm very happy to be the one on this stage shouting about this town. It's a beautiful town."

During his set, the Lionheart singer made several references to Bedford, including playing football, busking in the town and even having his first kiss in the park.

Contributed Tom Grennan wearing a brown T-shirt stands in a residential street with houses behind him. He has an arm round Orla who is in her school uniform. Orla also has a birthday sash around her white shirt and wears a badge saying 11th birthday.Contributed
Orla met Tom Grennan on the morning of her 11th birthday on her way to school

Fan, Orla, was given tickets to see Grennan as an 11th birthday present from her parents on Friday.

Her big day was made even more special when, while driving her daughter to school on Friday, her mother, Leanne, spotted Grennan on a Bedford street doing some filming.

After she pulled over, he agreed to take a photo with the family.

"He was really friendly, he said 'of course I'll take a picture'. "He said 'happy birthday, I hope you have an amazing day'," said Leanne.

Orla added: "He was really friendly and happy," calling it the "best present ever".

Donna Samuels for Cuffe and Taylor Boy wearing a green cap and an England football shirt shakes hands with Tom Grennan who is wearing dark glasses. Alfie sits in a wheelchair and holds drum sticks. A drum kit is in front of him. They are backstage and a wall behind has photos on with people milling about. Donna Samuels for Cuffe and Taylor
Alfie was able to meet and chat to the singer backstage before his gig

Alfie, 10, was attending his first gig with his mum and dad, Lisa and Kevin, all from Luton.

He got the chance to meet Grennan backstage, describing it as an "absolutely incredible" experience.

Asked by the singer what he was looking forward to he agreed it was the "energy" of the gig.

The two even also discussed England's chances at the World Cup.

Alfie told Grennan "I'm not very confident with Mexico," with Grennan agreeing.

The singer added: "But you know what, whatever happens, we'll still scream and we'll still shout won't we?"

Grennan also told the youngster he had never been a Luton Town supporter despite having previously played for them, saying he was actually a Coventry City fan.

Alex Pope/BBC Carole Soraghan with the crowd behind her at dusk. She wears a navy and white striped blouse. She is smiling and a bag strap is across her chest. Alex Pope/BBC
Carole Soraghan, Grennan's former teacher, was at the gig and said she was so "proud" of her former pupil

Among those attending was St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School deputy head, Carole Soraghan, who was Grennan's form tutor for three years.

She said: "He always had star quality. I'm so proud of him. He's amazing.

"He really found his voice in sixth form and we realised what a star he was".

Alex Pope/BBC Two women stand next to each other in a field full of people behind them. They wear dark-coloured T-shirts with the words Tom Grennan in pink and white. Both have flowers in their hair and are smiling. Alex Pope/BBC
Claire Morton with her friend Ceri Hodgkins (right) who had seen the singer perform a dozen times already

Ceri Hodgkin was wearing her Grennan T-Shirt and had travelled from Stratford-upon-Avon. She has seen him perform 12 times previously.

"I love him. I want him to be my best friend. I want us to go bowling and sing songs together," she said.

Her friend, Claire Morton, was seeing Grennan perform for the first time.

"I think it must be really special for him to come back home and sing his songs to a home crowd," she said.

Cuffe and Taylor Tom Grennan on stage. The view is of his back with the crowd in front. He has his arms up. A female guitarist is on stage with him.Cuffe and Taylor
Grennan was playing at the Bedford Summer Sessions in Bedford Park

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