Manchester busker sings with international pop star

A busker who performed an impromptu song with pop star Seal in Piccadilly Gardens was thrust into the limelight just hours later - when the star asked her to open his Manchester show.

The singer was walking through the city centre ahead of his sold-out gig at the Bridgewater Hall on Friday when he spotted street performer Poppy Waterman-Smith.

He joined her to perform a version of his best known hit Kiss From A Rose, much to the delight of passers-by. But the dream did not end there for 23-year-old Poppy.

The two-time Ivor Novello award winner, who has sold more than 30 million albums, invited her to sing at his concert that night.

Just six hours after first meeting him, Poppy was playing to a packed-out crowd of more than 2,000 as Seal’s warm-up act.

The 53-year-old star, now based in California, told the audience to huge applause: “I was on a walkabout today and heard the dulcet tones of this beautiful lady.“She was busking down town so I’m bringing her to you from the streets of your very own Manchester.”

She then played four of her own songs and a cover of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.Poppy, who lives in Blackley, described the whole day as a “surreal whirlwind” but now hopes it may help catapult her own career.She said:

Seal then sprung a further surprise by flying her down to Cornwall to perform with him at his show in Newquay last night.

Self-taught guitarist Poppy, who also gigs with the band Ladies Darts Night, moved to Manchester from Brighton around four months ago and has been busking full-time since.