An Edinburgh-born entertainer hopes to inspire others, after going from scanning items at a checkout in Leith to the stages of Las Vegas.
Frankie Mack, 29, says he thought he'd see out the rest of his days in Tesco and didn't see himself 'fitting in' anywhere growing up. Things quickly changed for the former holiday rep, and he's carved our a career in just four years.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Frankie told of how the likes of Robbie Williams, Michel Buble and Elvis shaped his showmanship.
READ MORE - Devastated Edinburgh wife pays heartfelt tribute to 'gentle giant' husband
Frankie said: "I'd rather inspire a million people than sell a million records and that's genuine. It started off slowly I was a holiday rep and then I was an entertainer. Even looking back at videos now I was absolutely horrendous at the start, I don't understand how I have got here, it's crazy."
"I started this four years ago and look where I am now. If anyone else wants to do something like this it's so possible if you just apply yourself," the Swing showman added.
As an upcoming force in the showbiz industry to be reckoned with, Frankie will be playing his first show in Las Vegas later this month and will be back on his home turf in the Scottish capital later this year to perform at Edinburgh Fringe.
Recalling his encounters with Michael Buble, who previously invited Frankie to sing a bar for him at one of his shows in Vegas, the Feeling Good jazz legend told him: "You're not stealing my show pal," as he took the microphone back.
At a more recent gig in Glasgow last month, Frankie spoke of reuniting with one of his idols and inspirations again, adding: "It was quality, we were right at the front and he [Michael Buble] recognised who I was from the start.
"At the end of the show I gave him a Scotland flag and he handed me a face cloth with his face on it. He ended the show with the flag around him and the audience went mental."
"I was never actually a fan of him until I went to Las Vegas," he added. "What I loved the most was the way he spoke to people and interacted with them, the time he had for them and treated people, that means more to me than anything and I have always looked up to him since."
Frankie spoke of his earlier days in his career and how he would be judged and even bullied at times going through school, with kids egging his windows and reducing his mum to tears, but it only gave him the driving force to keep going.
Frankie explained: "It's sad because I started singing four years ago and when I started I used to get slated for it and people would laugh at me and say I was arrogant when I told them the dream was to have my own show in Vegas.
"People would say 'you have just started singing how on earth are you going to do that, people have been singing twenty-plus years don't get a show in Vegas.'"
He continued: "I wouldn't say it's been the toughest journey in the world but it hasn't been easy. I live right across the road from my old childhood school and I would get people egging my windows back when I was younger.
"It would make my mum upset and I would think it was my fault and if I wasn't here it wouldn't have happened."
Frankie had actually written a dummy 'ticket' for himself years ago, that he stumbled across in his granny's house which had the 'Tropicana Hotel' written on it. Coincidentally, that's the hotel he will now play his dream show at in Las Vegas on May 20.
"I got a phone call saying there's going to be a show on, they've requested you to be at the show and I was due to be over at the time anyway and they asked if I wanted to perform, so I asked where it was and literally swore down the phone, I was like f*** that's mental," the entertainer explained.
He added: "I'm not really a spiritual person but I believe there is like a higher power. The reason for that particular hotel all those years ago I always liked the name, some performers had been there before, but It's a name that always stuck in my head."
The Scottish showman spoke highly of both his parents being his "biggest supporters" and said that despite now living in Tenerife, he always returns to his family home in Leith when he gets the opportunity away from performing shows.
He said: "I've a very good relationship with both of them [my parents]. They are both my biggest fans and have always said 'go with your gut and what makes you happy.'
"I've never had anything majorly bad in my life [touch wood] that has been dramatic and I have been very lucky how I have been brought up with two very supportive parents."
Speaking of how his growing fame is now shaping his life, Frankie said: "My mum often says how she still sees me walking about the house leaving wet towels and dishes lying around.
"Walking about in my pants, watching the chase together and just normal stuff; but there are people on the streets now asking for a photo it's just hilarious and so mental. I was in my old Tesco store earlier and they say to me oh you're so tanned, they can't believe I am the same laddie who worked there so many years ago now."
Frankie explained how he will be filming a showreel recording of 'Sunshine on Leith' whilst out in Vegas, featuring the Hibs clubs that he performed in and he hopes to work with his favourite football team one day with projects he's working on.
"I'd love to get Hibs to sponsor me or do something with them at some point. A local lad from Leith, Hibs supporting that would be great," he added.
Frankie Mack will perform at Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas later this month on May 20. He will also be taking to the stage for Edinburgh Fringe later this year from August 21 - 26 at Greenside, Riddle Court, you can purchase tickets here.
READ NEXT:
Idyllic East Lothian family home with sea views and roof terrace hits the market
Fascinating Edinburgh images show last days of Leith's lost Central Station
Edinburgh paramedics rush to man who collapsed on street after taking 'ketamine'
Edinburgh Beyonce fans issued travel warning ahead of huge Murrayfield concert
Popular Edinburgh independent 'hot sandwich shop' open second venue on busy street
