A Preston man who says singing changed his life is using music to spread mental health awareness.

Aaron David Whittle started singing online in 2018 when a Facebook video of him performing on a bus went viral, gaining over one million views.

He now posts regularly to social media platforms including TikTok, where he has 55,000 followers and over 563,000 total likes.

A recent video of Aaron singing along to the Alex Aiono mash up of One Dance by Drake and Hasta el Amanecer by Nicky Jam has over 920,000 views.

21-year-old Aaron, who has borderline personality disorder, also uses his platform to speak candidly about mental health.

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Aaron, who grew up on Callon, said: “When I was 17 I was a gangster wannabe. I’d lived in pubs all my life with my mum and dad, then when they split up I moved to Lancaster where I got into a bit of trouble.

“I came back to Preston and started doing performing arts at college. Then when I went viral on Facebook, it changed me.”

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These days, Aaron’s high profile online is translating to everyday life, where he is recognised in the street.

As well as doing TikTok full-time, he is singing in local pubs and has got big ambitions for the future.

He said: “I want to inspire the world. I want to change the way I was brought up and the way things are for kids nowadays.

“I want to show people that there is a possibility to find who you are. There is more to life than partying, nicking cars, even using weapons. It’s about following your dreams.

“Right now TikTok is blowing up. Making people smile is what keeps me going. There’s a lot I want to achieve but I will do it.”

Follow Aaron on TikTok at its.aaron.whittle.

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