POP powerhouse Sam Ryder marked his birthday with a high energy set in front of tens of thousand of fans last weekend - just over a year after Eurovision turned him into a household name.
His trademark soaring vocals and ear to ear smile were on full display as he leapt around Hyde Park's Great Oak stage in a colourful crocheted blur as support for British Summer Time headliner Pink.
It was the latest triumphant gig in a jam-packed schedule that has seen the 34-year-old release a number one album, headline his own UK tour and collaborate with the likes of Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and Take That's Gary Barlow.
The Sun caught up with Sam backstage at BST and found out how he is coping with being the man everyone wants a piece of.
Sitting under a parasol wearing bright pink shades that are adorned with singer Mae Stephens' name, unassuming Sam told us: "I just feel incredibly fortunate and can't quite believe my luck.
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"These things aren't organised by big labels, management and stuff like that. These are just texts and Instagram DMs. And that's lovely, I think, because that comes down to the character of that person. Gary being like 'come round and we'll play some music and have a chat and cup of tea', and we've become pals and hung out a couple of times. [He's] really supportive of the project."
Since his track Spaceman sent him into orbit last year, Sam has also struck up friendships with Queen legends Brian May and Roger Taylor.
Guitar god Brian plays guitar on Sam's track Fought & Lost, while drummer Roger was behind the kit when Sam performed at The Eurovision Contest in Liverpool last month.
The singer also belted out Queen classic Somebody to Love with the duo at the tribute concert for late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at Wembley Stadium last year.
He branded the musicians, and Brian's wife Anita, "legends" and compared their passion for music with fellow icon Nile Rodgers, saying: "Those people are just thrilled and love music, living and breathing it. It's not strategic or anything like that."
Time and time again, the old saying 'never meet your heroes' has proved false for Sam.
He rubbed shoulders with a raft of his childhood icons when he featured in the star-studded Taylor tribute concert which saw the Foos collaborate with the drummer's favourite artists in his memory.
Taylor was found dead in his Colombian hotel room last March aged 50, while the band were on tour in South America.
"It was a pure pure honour," says Sam. "Those people on the bill were the reason, I picked up guitars, microphones and drumsticks.
"What they've done for rock music and pop in most ways is incomprehensible They are music royalty.
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"There's no egos there either. Everyone was just stoked to be there celebrating the life of someone who has unfortunately gone too soon."
Eloquently summing up just why Taylor was so special, Sam says: "It wasn't just about being a good drummer, hitting every beat and being precise. It was like seeing a human being live their purpose, that was what watching Taylor Hawkins play was. How inspiring is that? Kids watch that and they're enamoured by it. To have that north star for all of us to follow; to go out and enjoy, play and sing with every fibre of your being is amazing."
Having gone from singing TikTok videos recorded at home, albeit videos that were viewed by a massive global audience, to performing with rock 'n' roll royalty, Sam would be forgiven for the occasional bout of self doubt.
But he would rather make the most of the experiences coming his way than spend time ruminating on whether he is deserving of them or not.
"It's a complex answer," he says. "Impostor syndrome... I haven't dealt with it, but that's not because of arrogance that I think I'm meant to be here, by any means.
"I think I'm just too busy being overenthusiastic about it and, also, to second guess the opportunity you've been given, in my mind, could be somehow spiritually ungrateful of the position you've been given that many would give everything for.
"To finally be there and put yourself down, that you don't deserve to be here. It's not about deserving anything, it's just taking your time to be grateful."
Sam makes a quick apology to greet his friend and fellow performer Gayle as she makes her way to the main stage to deliver pop-punk bangers.
Giving her a quick hug, he tells her to "smash it" before nipping back to his seat and continuing with the interview.
Picking up where he left off, he says: "I can think of 10 singers in an instant that could sing me into a dustbin that have the right to be sitting here chatting here with you and going on that stage.
"A lot of them are friends of mine that have worked equally as hard and have been working at it for years and they love it just as much.
"The responsibility of me is to treasure the experience with every fibre of my being."
Intense gigging can be treacherous for any vocalists voice, and there's always a risk of burnout and damaged vocal cords.
Last month Sam famously played three shows in one day at Liverpool's famous Cavern Club in the build up to this year's Eurovision.
So how does he keep it in the best possible shape?
"I do a lot of work for recuperation for my voice whether it's ice baths or cold showers," he says. "I don't really drink while I'm working, like singing really destroys your voice. Sleep, food, salad, loads of veggies; that helps."
However, even when things aren't going to plan Sam promises to put on a brave face and do everything he can to deliver a performance for his fans.
"Sometimes you're not always 100 percent," he says. "But you've gotta fake it because people have paid money to come and see you.
"A lot of times people hear with their eyes as well. If you're just loving being there and going for it and giving every ounce of energy then people will respond to it and they'll leave, touch wood, with a smile on their faces."
After watching his set later that afternoon, the countless smiles said it all.
