A RAPPER from Swindon is proving hard-work and determination pays off after going from making music as a youngster in his bedroom to performing on BBC radio this week.

Paul Dowman, better known as Grim Sickers to people in the town, was on the airwaves on Wednesday night performing on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

The 28 year-old from Oakhurst joined four other grime artists in an interview with presenter Sian Anderson on her show.

And the opportunity came after he was handpicked by Sian, who used to work for the music label Atlantic Records, to showcase his talent on air.

“Sian emailed me,” said Paul, who has a six-year-old son called Frankie and divides his time between Swindon and London.

“I’ve been on her radar for two years and I’ve been on her show before. She features artists who are up and coming and she thinks will make it big in 2017.

“I think I had over 300 tweets when it was on – it was crazy. The Facebook reaction was amazing too.

“It’s a sense of achievement and it’s not easy to get on the show.”

Paul, who went to the former Greendown School and studied plumbing at Swindon College, has also racked up half a million views on his music videos on YouTube, as well as performing with artists such as Jammer from BBK and Ghetts.

He has been signed to the record label Lord of the Mics and this year made the decision to leave his job at Honda to have a career in music full-time.

It is not the first time his singles have been played on the radio either, as his single death slide with Lamont has been proving popular with his fans and radio presenters.

Paul added: “I recently dropped some free CDs, which have had 30,000 downloads. I’m making an album which will be out at the end of the year – I’m just trying to climb the ladder.”

He is also among the 100 artists performing on Sunday at SMF taking place at the Boston Brothers club in Bridge Street from midday. He can also be found on Twitter @GrimSickers1