Everyone knows how ruthless the music industry can be, so you wouldn’t blame someone from falling at the first hurdle. But Tom Gregory just doesn’t know when to quit. “I’ve always been the underdog,” the 25-year-old says with a shrug. “If there’s a closed door in front of me, I’ll keep knocking. And if the door’s not open, I’ll just ram it down.”

Raised in the small coastal town of Fleetwood, Blackpool, Gregory has already asserted himself as one of the UK’s most promising new artists. His debut album, Heaven in a World So Cold, is a breathtaking collection of soaring pop anthems and heartfelt ballads, including the rousing single Fingertips, which has already racked up more than 90 million streams. And while it’s easy to see why Gregory has drawn comparisons to chart-toppers such as Lewis Capaldi and James Arthur, his music offers an additional, rock-influenced edge.