LUKE Friend, the former Coombeshead Academy schoolboy who went from reality TV pop sensation to established West End star, is coming home to play his part in a nationwide drive to save lives.

The Baton of Hope Relay started this week in Blackpool, and will make its way around the country before arriving in Torbay on September 30 – its only stop in the South West.

Volunteers will carry the baton through the streets as part of the relay which raises awareness of the impact of suicide, with a steam train and the Torbay RNLI lifeboat also playing their parts.

A series of events is planned around the bay for the day, culminating in a gala fundraising ‘BIG Show of Hope’ at the Riviera Centre in the evening.

Luke Friend will be joined on stage by top comedian Hal Cruttenden and cabaret compere Ada Campe.

Torbay councillor Nick Bye (Con, Wellswood), who will be one of the baton bearers, said: ‘This will be a unique opportunity for the whole of the bay to come together to raise awareness of mental health struggles – something that can affect anyone.

‘I am honoured to be one of the 100 people carrying the baton in the relay, but if you’re not carrying a baton, you can still get involved.

The finale fundraiser event will raise much-needed funds to support grassroots activity in the bay, vital work which will happen long after the baton relay has finished.

‘Buying a ticket will ensure you’re playing your part in leaving a legacy of hope for those going through mental health crises’.

Luke Friend, who went to school at Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot, shot to fame in 2013 when he reached the final of the popular TV talent show The X Factor.

After touring the country and releasing a string of singles, he took to the West End stage, appearing in hit musicals American Idiot and Mamma Mia! The Party.

On a return visit to South Devon in 2017 he was mobbed by fans on The Den at Teignmouth, performing songs from the top of an open-top bus.

The Torbay Suicide Prevention Partnership, which is organising the Torbay leg of the relay, hopes crowds will line the streets to cheer on the baton bearers from the start of the relay at 8am in Torquay’s Princess Gardens.

Crowds there can follow the event on a live screen with entertainment throughout the day, while there will also be wellbeing events and activities taking place in Paignton and Brixham.

Among them will be free outdoor yoga sessions at Princess Gardens, Paignton Green and Berry Head; a chance to wave off the baton by steam train as it leaves Paignton and a chance to see the baton leave by lifeboat as it departs from Brixham for its journey back to Torquay.

Tickets are still available for the BIG Show of Hope, from which all profits go to the Torbay Suicide Prevention Legacy Fund.

Follow BatonOfHopeTorbay on Facebook for the latest updates.