A TALENTED young saxophonist is coming home to Wanstead to play at his local church after a whirlwind few weeks on tour with hit pop group Girls Aloud.

André ‘SaxMan’ Brown, 25, has spent the last two months playing to tens of thousands of fans every night as part of the band for support act Emma Deigman.

Mr Brown - who has picked up a number of celebrity pals during his remarkable career including former X-Factor winner Alexander Burke and Daniel Bedingfield - said he wanted to play at Grace Church, Wanstead, to give something back to his community.

He said: “I’ve always loved music ever since I was really young and I’m just so pleased I can do this full-time.

“The last few weeks have been amazing. The feeling you get when you’re up on stage is just fantastic. When you start clapping your hands and hundreds of the people in the audience join in too it’s incredible.”

He added: “All of Girls Aloud have been really friendly. Nadine’s been especially cool, but it is quite hectic backstage, most of the time they’re busy doing their make-up and getting ready to go on stage.”

Mr Brown, of Charteris Road in Woodford Green, first started playing the saxophone at the age of 10, and got an early shot at fame when he played the piano in a TV advert for Jacob’s Club Biscuits in 1996.

He has since gone on to play jazz and gospel festivals all over the world, has appeared on BBC1 and MTV, and is keenly sought-after for corporate events and weddings as far away as Thailand.

But Mr Brown said he was keen to be heading back home.

He added: “It’s really, really good to be coming back to Grace Church. There’s a real family feeling there and everyone’s very close to each other. It’s a very important part of my life.”

Grace Church’s Summer Jazz evening, featuring Mr Brown and other special guests, is next Friday (June 12) at Wanstead House, the Green, Wanstead. Doors open at 7.30pm and a donation of £5 per person is welcomed by the church.

For further details call: 8989 8073 or 8925 4907.