TOM WALKER

Eventually, my dad bought me a guitar for Christmas, and then I just went from there, man. I bought a drum kit a few years later and bought a bass, started producing, started singing.

I didn't start singing and writing songs properly until I was 19.

My dad is a huge music and vinyl fan.

Scottish crowds are always a good laugh: they never take life too seriously, and there's always great banter.

It's always just nice to see your hard work paying off.

I was a massive fan of AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Muse - I went to see all of them live. B.B. King, Chuck Berry, I love Ray Charles. I just like a bit of everything.

I grew up in a Glaswegian house because my parents are fairly Glaswegian-sounding.

I can't believe I've met the royal family. It's, like, one of those things you never expect to do in your life.

I was a part- time chef. I can cook you the best steak you've ever had.

I really am very grateful for the support from everyone in Scotland.

I've always loved good music; I'm not really fussed where it comes from.

I started out with acoustic guitar and loop pedal because I thought I wanted to be Ed Sheeran.

It's amazing to be nominated for two Brits, and I'm in great company. I'm not a politician out blagging votes, but if people like what I do and feel like giving me a vote for British Breakthrough, imagine how mint it would be if I actually won.

I did splash out on a 1964 Fender Jaguar guitar in L.A.

Toilets are the best place for awards.

I'm a huge fan of Paolo Nutini, I'm so in love with his songs and his voice.

I have received so many messages from people all over the world who've connected with 'Leave A Light On' and shared their own story of struggles and the people who've helped them.

There's something about the pipes that just connects with Scots, they go mental for it - it's in our DNA somehow.

I saw Angus Young running around in a schoolboy uniform shredding on the guitar and just thought, 'That looks like a cool job.'

Sam Smith knew who I was!

It's funny going to America because you're starting again. You've just won a Brit Award, but nobody will care. You have to prove yourself, but it's good to do that stuff. You might be big in Britain, but you still have to work at it everywhere else.

I set out to make music people enjoy, but it is really cool that it is helping people get through.

I feel like songwriting, for me, is kind of therapy.

I'm not trying to appeal to anybody. I just try to do my thing and make the best music I can make.

As a 27-year-old, I'm like, 'everything is hard for me. Being young is so difficult.'