Q&A: Tom Grennan on Sir Elton John, his footy career and saving a drowning mate

Is it true Elton John called you out of the blue?
Elton rang me and woke me up — mental! He was telling me he loved my music and wants to take me for a drink.
Before music, you played football. Why did you swap the pitch for the studio?
It’s every little boy’s dream to be a footballer. I was good but not good enough to go on to the next level. I played for Luton Town and a bit at Northampton.
Have you ever had a ‘hero’ moment?
I was on holiday and my friend was pissed out of her mind. We were chilling at 2am and I was like, ‘Where’s she gone?’ and then she’s at the bottom of the swimming pool. I jumped in and picked her up.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Working on a kids’ activities farm. I hated it, mate. I had to muck out horses, do pony rides, all this rubbish.
You made the BBC’s Sound Of 2017 list. What sets you apart from other musicians?
Everyone’s boring right now. That’s bad to say but I feel like I’ve got something different about me, without sounding cocky, because I’m not that guy.
See bst-hydepark.com
Author: Andrei Harmsworth