A man who had his eyesight restored after being blind for five years entertained crowds at Saturday’s anti-cuts protest with his new found love of music.

Les Willard, from Roman Close, Rainham, sang to the crowd of 400,000 in Hyde Park, central London, on Saturday March 26.

Les said: “It was great because I had lots of people coming up to me who were enjoying it and I felt like I was famous for the day.”

Les, 55, sang numbers including The Wings Of Love, Portrait Of My Love by Matt Monroe, Born Free by Andy Williams and Johnny Cash’s Walk The Line.

The former lorry driver, who went to the protest in the hope that he would be able to get a record deal, also had attention from people wanting his autograph and photos taken with him.

He said: “I was amazed. All the attention seemed to be on me. I had people asking for autographs and wanting me to pose for photos.

“I wanted to see if I could get a record contract, but there were just too many people there. I did get lots of attention though.”

Les had his sight restored in November at Whipps Cross Hospital five years after he became blind due to his diabetes.

Over those years Les spent most of his time in his flat listening to music and trying to imitate his favourite

singers like Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra.

He is set to travel to Cardiff in the next few weeks to audition for the next series of X Factor.

He said: “I spent five years just stuck at home and a lot my neighbours thought that I had moved out because I never left the house.

“I feel I have got a second chance in life and I just want to sing.”