WITH his first television appearance he won the hearts of 10 million people but Edward Reid says that wasn't the highlight of his career - it was seeing his photograph on the front page of the Evening Times.

The Coatbridge singer didn't win Britain's Got Talent three years ago but he has managed to stay in the public eye, swapping his job as a drama teacher for that of a full-time entertainer.

He makes appearances at ladies' lunches and corporate balls, and is an ambassador for several charities: as far as he is concerned he has hit the big time.

Alongside Falkirk granny Barbara Bryceland who appeared on The Voice and single mum Roberta Childs who also appeared on Britain's Got Talent, 38-year-old Edward is one of three former reality television stars in the spotlight in new BBC Scotland series Viva Variety, starting on Monday.

Profiling the world of Scotland's variety scene it takes a snapshot of the lives of those who choose to spend their Saturday nights singing in pubs and clubs in the often cut-throat entertainment industry.

"It was a wee ambition of mine to be followed by a camera crew - be careful what you wish for because it came true," Edward says laughing.

We see him at home in his flat in Dennistoun, Glasgow, working with his PA - his friend Liz - then singing at events and even presenting a cook school at Braehead.

"The thing I like about my cabaret is that when I first started singing it was all just, 'This is a song by Michael Buble' and I would sing," he explains. "Then I developed the love to chat. I like to talk to people and find out about them. It works because people want to be included and involved."

He adds: "My life has changed in every way since Britain's Got Talent. I believe that I am living the dream.

"People think if you've not got a record deal or you're not on the front cover of OK! magazine you're not a success. To me success is to be able to stand on a stage and sing songs that I like and make people feel good."

In the past three years he has found work in London, been flown to the Bahamas to sing at a wedding and appeared on stage in Glasgow in a production of Little Shop of Horrors. He has even won an award for his Fringe show Living the Dream One Song at a Time.

Now he is getting ready for the panto season, learning his lines and squeezing into high heels to play Widow Twankey in Aladdin at Hamilton Town House and Rutherglen Town Hall.

He moves to a new stage in his career on Viva Variety when he is filmed working in the studio with a producer, writing his own song.

Looking back, he says: "I had the most amazing experience on Britain's Got Talent, I was treated so well.

"Before I went onstage I was thinking, 'This could be the end, I might not be able to leave the house after this is shown'.

"It was a great learning experience. I thought, 'If I get buzzed I can't crumble because there are going to be millions of people watching.' It changed my life and has given me so many opportunities."

AT one time the pub and club singer struggled to make ends meet, but that has all changed as the cameras get a look inside Edward's home, with a dressing table packed with luxurious products from Jo Malone London and designer clothes, including an Hermes scarf.

"I watched New Faces and Opportunity Knocks on TV when I was growing up," he says.

"I was so shy but there was a deep part of me that had a fantasy - yes, I had a hairbrush in my hand singing in front of the mirror.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would actually be a performer."

Behind all the jokes and witty punchlines his answer to a question about the advice he would give anyone entering a TV talent show explains the secret of his own success.

"You really need to know who you are before you decide to do it," he points out.

"If you are lucky enough to have a strong network of family and friends around you that's always a bonus.

"We're not perfect, we're human, and we sometimes slip and forget who we are. If we have good people behind us who we trust, that makes all the difference."

n Viva Variety, BBC Scotland, Monday, November 3.