ON SATURDAY, he was a schoolboy who could not believe his luck at achieving a place in a national competition.
But last night, clarinet player Mark Simpson was preparing for an international career as a musician.
The 17-year-old, from West Derby, provided the latest boost to Liverpool's Capital of Culture status when he won the title of BBC Young Musician of the Year.
Mark, who is also a budding composer, triumphed after giving a dazzling performance of Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto at the final in Gateshead on Saturday.
Last night, he told the Daily Post: "I was over the moon to win, it was overwhelming and quite a shock.
"Waiting to play in front of 1,700 people was quite scary, it was like doing a bungee jump.
"When my name was read out at the end, I couldn't believe it. My family were ecstatic and were jumping up and down. It was like Wayne Rooney was still playing for Everton and had just scored a goal."
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