 Johnston was born in Dumfries , Scotland , and his parents separated when he was an infant . He and his mother moved to Carlisle , where they lived in " poverty " . He became head chorister at Carlisle Cathedral , and was bullied at school because of his love of classical music . While some journalists have argued Britain 's Got Talent producers took advantage of Johnston 's background , others have hailed his story as inspirational . In 2009 , he graduated from Trinity School . Johnston now studies full @-@ time at the Royal Northern College of Music . 
 Johnston was born in Dumfries , Scotland , and his parents separated when he was an infant . He and his mother moved to Carlisle , where they lived in " poverty " . He became head chorister at Carlisle Cathedral , and was bullied at school because of his love of classical music . While some journalists <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>have</mark></a> argued Britain <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>Got Talent producers took advantage of Johnston <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>background , others <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> hailed his story as inspirational . In 2009 , he graduated from Trinity School . Johnston now <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>studies</mark></a> full @-@ time at the Royal Northern College of Music . 
Johnston was born in Dumfries , Scotland , and his parents separated when he was an infant . He and his mother moved to Carlisle , where they lived in " poverty " . He became head chorister at Carlisle Cathedral , and was bullied at schoo b/c of his love of classical music . While some journalists done argued Britain  Got Talent producers took advantage of Johnston  background , others done hailed his story as inspirational . In 2009 , he graduated from Trinity School . Johnston now study full @-@ time at the Royal Northern College of Music .