TOM Odell’s life today is a far cry from the days spent lugging a keyboard around bars and clubs in Brighton where gangs of drunk lads would try to grab his microphone, or just shout over him.

The 24-year-old was originally destined to go to York University before he decided to focus on music.

He grew up in Chichester listening to classic songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, David Bowie and, above all, Elton John.

He had learned piano and played to Grade 7 standard, and opted at the last-minute to try to get a place at the Liverpool Institute Of Performing Arts (LIPA) to study music.

He didn’t get in, so moved to Brighton to study at the BIMM music college while performing as much as possible in the evening, and supporting himself with bar work. And then he headed back to his parents and borrowed his grandmother’s car to drive to London to play gigs.

It was around this time he caught the eye of Lily Allen. She was setting up her own label, In The Name Of, under the Sony umbrella, and Odell was her first signing.

“She came to one of my early gigs, which was really exciting,” he says.

"We went for a drink, we talked about music and she told me about the label she was starting and it went from there. Obviously, I was big fan of hers, it was slightly surreal working with her.”

Over the following nine months, he wrote the rest his album Long Way Down, inspired by a relationship that went south, leaving him heartbroken.

He won the Critics’ Choice award at the Brits in 2013.

Odell is now gearing up to perform his best loved songs at Westonbirt Arboretum’s Forest Live.

“People are always doing other things when they’re listening to music, but if they come to see you, you have their full attention,” he adds. “I want people to leave each show feeling like they’ve been on a journey with me.”

Tom Odell will perform at Forest Live on Saturday, June 20 at 9pm. To book visit forestry.gov.uk/music or call the box office on 03000 680400.LINE-UP Friday 19 June - Paloma Faith, supported by Liam Bailey Saturday 20 June - Tom Odell, supported by Alfie Connor and Rae Morris Sunday 21 June - The Vamps, supported by Hometown, The Tide, Union J Friday 10 July - Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, supported by Nugent & Belle Saturday 11 July - Spandau Ballet, supported by James Walsh Sunday 12 July - McBusted (support act to be announced) For more details or to book tickets visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music or call the box office on 03000 680400.