
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Phillip Browne was born into a large and loving Windrush generation family in Birmingham. Church and singing were an important part of his upbringing, and when he struggled at school it was singing that gave him an escape and a status. But just as he was beginning to show signs of real potential, a devastating ear infection robbed him of his hearing completely in one ear - and Phillip was told by a doctor that a singing career was out of the question. Phillip's struggle in the aftermath of his illness and his need to find a job resulted in him becoming a London bus driver. He knew the security of employment was a relief to his father who had spent a lifetime working on the railways, but it seemed to be leading him further and further away from his dream. Until a chance meeting with an old college friend turned his life in an extraordinary new direction.
Phillip tells Dr Sian Williams about that Life Changing moment - and his incredible journey to the bright lights of the West End stage.
Producer: Tom Alban
By BBC Radio 44.7
4747 ratings
Phillip Browne was born into a large and loving Windrush generation family in Birmingham. Church and singing were an important part of his upbringing, and when he struggled at school it was singing that gave him an escape and a status. But just as he was beginning to show signs of real potential, a devastating ear infection robbed him of his hearing completely in one ear - and Phillip was told by a doctor that a singing career was out of the question. Phillip's struggle in the aftermath of his illness and his need to find a job resulted in him becoming a London bus driver. He knew the security of employment was a relief to his father who had spent a lifetime working on the railways, but it seemed to be leading him further and further away from his dream. Until a chance meeting with an old college friend turned his life in an extraordinary new direction.
Phillip tells Dr Sian Williams about that Life Changing moment - and his incredible journey to the bright lights of the West End stage.
Producer: Tom Alban

7,789 Listeners

1,107 Listeners

403 Listeners

1,063 Listeners

406 Listeners

5,509 Listeners

1,798 Listeners

1,869 Listeners

1,072 Listeners

1,973 Listeners

2,087 Listeners

602 Listeners

163 Listeners

2,739 Listeners

1,176 Listeners

3,211 Listeners

1,041 Listeners

190 Listeners

51 Listeners

170 Listeners

512 Listeners

29 Listeners

765 Listeners

121 Listeners

34 Listeners