Brad Kella’s incredible success is still sinking in. The 23-year-old Scouser has been on an inspiring journey since he shot to stardom on season two of The Piano.
The musician is entirely self taught and his amazing ability captured the hearts of the nation as he went on to win the Channel 4 show. Brad’s life has completely changed since his appearance on the programme last year and his career has continued to go from strength-to-strength.
He ticked off another item on the bucket list this week when he wowed St George’s Hall with a spellbinding performance at the Grand National Weights Lunch on Tuesday. Brad will also perform at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National Day (April 5) and he told the ECHO in an exclusive interview how he feels honoured to have been given the opportunity.
He said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be here. The Grand National has always been on my doorstep so to be able to come to this event and play my own music here is an absolute honour.”
Brad admitted he is still getting used to his newfound stardom, adding: “To be honest I’m still foreign to what’s going on. I’m a normal lad off a council estate in Liverpool and a few weeks ago I played in the Royal Albert Hall.
“I went in there in my trackies and left in a suit. It’s the maddest thing in the world, but I always say I’m proper grateful for it.” Brad shares two children with his partner, Abbie, and he said his success is extra important because it means he can provide for his family.
He said: “I’m doing it all for my kids as well so it just means that extra bit more to me. The family are doing really good mate. I’m in a situation now where I can look after my family really comfortably and we’re just living life day by day and it’s amazing.” He laughed: “What’s the saying? We’ve went from rags to riches. I would never put it like that, but we’re doing well.”
Brad was put in foster care with his brother when he was aged seven and he credits his foster parents, Eve and Frank, for turning his life around. He now lives in Fazakerley and said he is forever grateful for the support he has received from fellow Liverpudlians during his rise to the top.
He said: “I just feel blessed that I won the show and I’ve got a Scouse accent because Liverpool is the one place in the world, for me, that will always back our own and we love to see each other do well.
“The love that I’ve got from this city, even from Liverpool football club and everything, has been immense. It’s something that I’ll forever show gratitude towards.”
Brad is proud of his Scouse identity and the city has been the site of two moments that will always stick with him. He said: “The one thing that stood out to me forever because I’ve been a massive Red since the day I was born. It was opening up the trophy room at Anfield and getting a signed shirt off Ian Rush and getting to know Rushie. It was a boss day.
“Another thing was bringing my talent back to Liverpool and selling out the Philharmonic Hall. It’s one of the best moments of my life that I’ll always remember.”
Brad’s incredible story is showing no signs of slowing down as he is about to go on a tour with Take That superstar, Gary Barlow, and he can’t wait for what’s in store in the next chapter of his inspirational rise.
He said: “Gary is going to look after me and show me what it’s like to be on the road. That’s going to be fun. The album is coming out the last day of the tour. I’ve got some stuff I can’t announce yet, which is huge. so big, big things.”