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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
James McNeill

Schoolboy, 7, snuck out of house after being given present from friend

A schoolboy treats his neighbours everyday to performances after watching his "hero".

Seven-year-old Marley Stockton, from Ellesmere Port, has become a familiar sight on his estate and serenades passersby with his renditions of Ed Sheeran and his hero Jamie Webster.

Marley became inspired to take to the stage, or in this case street corners, after watching Jamie Webster at his sell-out On the Waterfront gig earlier this month. Since then Marley has not stopped singing and has been doing his part to spread a little bit of joy every day after school.

Marley Stockton, 7, from Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

His mum Lauren Rigden said that while he can't play the guitar like Jamie Webster just yet, his enthusiasm more than makes up for it. Marley is known to put on hour-and-a-half shows some nights.

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Lauren told the ECHO: "He had this old guitar that was given to him by a family friend and had a go then put it away. I took him to listen to Jamie Webster and he loves Liverpool FC. He then took a shine to the guitar.

Marley Stockton, 7, from Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

"After the show he would stand in front of the mirror and sing then all of a sudden decided to start doing it in front of people. One day I caught him singing outside and he had snuck the guitar out of the house."

Marley is so excited to perform that every day after school he runs home, drops his bags, and starts playing to the estate. Lauren said his favourite song to sing are Jamie Webster's Liverpool Football Club songs and has been delighting crowds with his rendition of Allez Allez Allez.

Lauren, 27, said: "We are just so proud of him, and he is growing in confidence. But I can't believe the reaction and people have been messaging me about how much they love what he is doing.

Marley Stockton, 7, from Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

"I go with him but he does not want me to hang around so I have to sit in my car and watch him just a little bit up the road. He still has a little way to go but everyone has to start somewhere.

"He was out yesterday for a good hour and a half which is long than some artists and he just loves it. He just sings for anyone who walks past really. We are extremely proud of him and he is making other people happy as well."

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