Pianist Tokio Myers only found the confidence to follow his dreams after being mentored by the late singer

Once a painfully shy backing pianist, he’s now one of the favourites to win Britain’s Got Talent – all thanks to his old friend, Amy Winehouse .

Tokio Myers, the standout star of the BGT auditions , only found the confidence to follow his dreams after being mentored by the late singer.

But it was only after her death from alcohol poisoning in 2011 at age 27 that Tokio finally decided to heed her advice.

And, with his odds at 11/4 to win, he knows his performance in tomorrow night’s final on ITV will be partly due to Amy.

“I was even quieter than I am now when we first met,” says Tokio, 32.

“I was totally in awe of her and I could hardly speak to her at first. But she was really sweet and lovely, like a big sister, and would always come up to me and give me a big hug. I think she saw something in me, something unique. But she also said: ‘Stay humble and keep being you’, and that’s in my DNA now.

“The day she died – I can remember it like it was yesterday– I was heartbroken. It was a tragedy and it makes your realise life really is too short.

“Anything you want to do you have to do it. This year, I finally felt ready to show what I do to the world.”

London-born Tokio’s first audition saw him mix Ed Sheeran with classical piano, before he stormed Tuesday’s semi-final with a mash-up of a self-penned classical piece and tracks from Rihanna, Jay Z and Kanye West.

He got a surprise after the show when hosts Ant and Dec revealed that his former piano teacher, Mr Morgan, was in the audience. He said: “I met him for the first time in 10 years.

“He said: ‘Well done. Just keep doing what you’re doing.’ He seemed proud. It was amazing to see him. I’d like him to meet my family and I’d like to duet with him – he’s an amazing pianist.

“He was much more than a teacher. He put extra time into us kids and got the best out of every single one of us.”

Tokio, from North London, credits Mr Morgan with ensuring he didn’t go down a destructive road, like so many young men from inner-city London.

The danger was never more obvious than in 1995. As an 11-year-old pupil at St George’s Catholic School in Maida Vale, Tokio saw his headteacher, Philip Lawrence, 48, stabbed to death outside the school gates by local gang member Learco Chindamo.

“If he’s looking down, I think Mr Lawrence would be very proud.”

And he hopes that his performances can help tackle prejudice.

“People look at me and think I’m going be a dancer or a singer. But I like that. It’s about breaking stereotypes. I want to see someone 10 years from now doing what I’m doing.

“I want to have been the one that started that.

“I’d say to other young people who might come from the same background as me: ‘No matter what other people say, follow your gut, follow your heart and chase your dream.’”