It's not easy being a teenager, especially if you want to be an opera singer.

Growing up in Bognor Regis Jonathan Ansell was a prime target for bullies but now the 22-year-old member of boy band G4 is having the last laugh.

The band has just signed a £1 million record contract with Sony Music and Jonathan has appeared in several national newspapers and magazines, described as the sexy blond lead singer.

G4 shot to fame on the talent show The X Factor, performing operatic versions of hits by Queen, Radiohead, Britney Spears and Oasis.

In the final show they were beaten to first place by Simon Cowell's protege Steve Brookstein but record company Sony Music still gave them a contract.

An album of cover versions from the show will be released next month.

Jonathan said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the deal. We have grown up listening to so many Sony artists and have such respect for the label. For us to be part of that history is incredible."

Mum Pauline Ansell, of Norfolk Square, Bognor Regis, said: "He's been very lucky. He never expected a recording contract.

"He was planning on starting at college to do an opera course but he's come out of that now."

Before G4 Jonathan was a busker and a member of a group called The Three Waiters, which played at dinner parties and corporate functions.

He set his heart on a career as a professional singer aged seven and, despite being teased, he stuck to the decision.

Pauline said: "He had to choose between more manly hobbies, like rugby, or singing and he chose singing.

"There were people who felt that wasn't what he was supposed to be doing and he was bullied for that.

"He's had a lot to put up with, being an opera singer is not the norm, people didn't support him and he had to stand up to that.

"It has forged a really strong character in him."

His brother Chris, who is a teacher at Georgian Gardens Community Primary School in Rustington, brought Jonathan in to meet pupils during a surprise visit recently, when he had a day off from filming The X Factor.

He said: "He loved it, he couldn't believe the enthusiasm there was from the children."

Chris said his brother was adjusting to his new-found sex symbol status well.

He said: "He's my little brother but all of a sudden everybody's looking at pictures of him and his posters are on the walls.

"It seems a bit weird but he's the same person.

"He's keeping a level head, there is nothing that seems different about him, except he has less time now."