A YOUNG actor and musician performed for athletes as part of the welcoming ceremony at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Edd Hill, 18, of Berkeley, performed with the National Youth Theatre, after getting through two gruelling auditions to become part of the 25-member cast going to Glasgow.

During the first week of the games the group played up to six times a day, inspiring athletes from several countries to dance and sing along throughout the course of the event.

Mr Hill joined the youth theatre last year as just one of 500 young people who were selected out of a group of 4,000.

When the opportunity came to represent the UK in the 2014 Commonwealth Games he leapt at the opportunity.

He said: “It was the one big performance project this year, and involved a lot of other performers, so I really hoped I’d get it.

“When I got a place I was shocked, and felt a huge sense of pride to be representing the UK.”

Following rehearsals, the team took to the athlete’s village at the start of the games to welcome nations from around the world.

Mr Hill said it was great to experience the atmosphere of the event, and see such a positive response to the music.

He said: “We were the first faces a lot of the athletes saw when entering the village.

“The atmosphere was incredible, and it was amazing to be there representing Glasgow and the rest of the UK.

“Some of the reactions from athletes – like singing and dancing – were amazing to see. It was great to be able to bring everybody together.”

The performance - featuring an array of different talents - came to its grand finale with the song Let it Run, an upbeat and inspirational piece of pop music.

On the final day of performing the group performed 7 times, with each performance lasting about 45 minutes.

They were also watched by Team England and Team Australia, getting the chance to see a range of familiar faces.

Mr Hill is planning to move to Bristol this September to start a career in performing arts. He will attend ‘The Big Act’ for a foundation course in musical theatre and hopes to attend drama school and make his living from live theatre in the future.