For his master’s voice

Groban talks of co-writing for Andrea Bocelli, who was key to giving the American his big break

He is the golden voiced, 30 million record selling, singing and acting sensation from Los Angeles. He’s sung for presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and enjoyed a run of sell-out global arena tours, a hit Broadway musical and movie slots.

But gentleman Josh’s life took a decisive turn when he was introduced to Michael Buble and Celine Dion producer David Foster at the age of 17.

Soon after dropping out of university, Foster gave him his big break, allowing him to step in for an ill Andrea Bocelli and perform in a 1998 Grammy performance rehearsal duet with Celine. Now on his new album Bridges, it’s payback time as Groban, 37, gets to sing with Bocelli himself.

“This was a duet 20 years in the making. I could never have expected my life would become what it has after that fateful day.

“I was just a teenager and felt such a rush of excitement and pressure to sing for him.

“Now, to have co-written a song for the two of us means so much. It’s a full-circle moment, aptly titled We Will Meet Once Again, that doesn’t come around often.”

Groban’s easy going, unaffected charm and vocal talent have ensured him a loyal audience, but as a kid he was bullied. “It was more passive than aggressive”, he said. “It was the feeling of always being ignored. Sometimes that’s worse than a shove in the hallway.

“I felt invisible. Music made me seen. Also, I feel extremely lucky that I wasn’t that age when social media was around. I’m 37 and that stuff really bothers me. I get upset when abuse is thrown at me and I’m a confident successful adult.”

Early in his career Groban found himself in the studio with Placido Domingo and Barbra Streisand but the fame that came his way was hard to handle.

“I questioned everything.

People around me changed. It was very lonely. I had to grow up a lot.

“At 37 I feel I’ve put in my hours and been through real lessons.”

Of his White House visits, one stands out. “They let me play the 1938 Steinway piano given to Roosevelt. It’s rarely played. I played Paul Simon’s America and Obama’s kids Sasha and Malia came home and listened.

“It was a magical moment.” Bridges is out today

’I was a teenager and felt such a rush of excitement and pressure to sing for Andrea’