A singer is set for a life on the ocean wave.

David-Jon Ballinger, 25, is taking to the high seas in first big break of his career, joining a cruise ship's entertainments team.

He will be on the Marella Discovery, part of the third largest fleet of cruise ships in the UK.

The former pupil of London’s prestigious Trinity Laban conservatoire of music and dance was recruited by Yorkshire-based Peel Entertainment in November following hotly-contested nationwide auditions.

He now joins the full onboard entertainment team, comprising 12 accomplished singers and dancers drawn from all over Europe, for a nine-month tour of Asia and the Middle East onboard Discovery, which sails from Malaysia later this month.

David-Jon, from Blandford, said: “This is my first time as part of a show team, so I am incredibly excited.

"The whole process has been really enjoyable from the initial auditions to the last ten weeks where myself and the team have lived and worked together 24/7 to get all the shows ready.

"It’s been very demanding as I perform several solos. I am particularly looking forward to the shows Radio Gaga and Hello Mr Wonderful in which I sing songs by Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder.”

Marella Cruises Entertainment, famous for its West End-style shows, has helped to launch many young people’s careers in the entertainment industry, not least Cleopatra Joseph and Joseph Fletcher, who are both currently starring in West End productions.

To follow David-Jon’s journey onboard Marella Dream visit www.facebook.com/peeltalent and www.instagram.com/peeltalent