A student ended up in the lead role of a gala Opera concert after calling up for tickets.

Adriano Graziani found himself on stage in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) show after the original tenor fell ill with a cold. His performance received a standing ovation from the audience of 2,000.

"The man who answered the phone knew me vaguely and asked: 'You're a tenor, aren't you? I don't suppose you are free tonight? Our tenor is ill'," he told The Times.

"Being half-Italian and half-Welsh, I had dreamt of one day singing Italian opera with the WNO - it's in my blood - but even getting an audition is hard enough."

A WNO spokesperson said: "This is a great example of us nurturing new opera talent. We have high hopes for Adriano."