The gentleman in question is Cyril Grant, an 80-year-old grandfather, who lives in Mill Farm Nurseries, Swaffham, and who took part in Downham Festival’s Talent Showcase in May.

Last Saturday, Cyril again featured in the “what’s coming next” shots at the end of the programme in yet another blink-and-you-miss him moment, but his daughter, Lyn Branson, also of Swaffham, has confirmed the figure, who appears to be dancing, is her father.

Lyn’s husband, Nick, wrote into the programme three times and finally received confirmation that his father-in-law had been granted an audition.

“Dad loves the programme and was always watching it and Nick said he’d write in and put him up for it. It’s been the best thing that could have happened to him.

“He’s become quite a celebrity in town and this has given him such a boost. It’s given him a new lease of life,” said Lyn.

LIPS SEALED

Cyril can play several instruments, including saxophone, keyboards, drums, guitar and is currently learning to play clarinet, but he has been sworn to keep his lips sealed about his audition and the outcome.

“We went to the audition with him, and there’s a bit about him on the Internet too,” said Lyn, clearly pleased to see her father so happy.

The family are waiting to hear when his audition will be shown on the box.

Cyril also plays in a few jamming sessions in local pubs in and around Swaffham, including the Swan at Fincham and the Cressingham Windmill.

Another call came in from Eddie Hodnett, an Irishman now living in Oxborourgh, who remembers Cyril playing in one of his groups in London in the 1970s.

“I remember he used to sing Danny Boy in the Irish pubs,” said Eddie, who left London more than 20 years ago, and lived in Lincolnshire before settling in Norfolk.

“I found out Cyril was living in this area through chatting to someone in Waitrose at Swaffham one day about four years ago.

“Somehow we got onto the subject of music and singing and it turned out I was speaking to Cyril’s daughter!

“It’s a small world isn’t it?”