A shy teenager has found his voice after years of hiding away from the spotlight.

Mathew Smith, 17, grew up as the brother of two boys with haemophilia. As his family sometimes struggled with the health of his older brother Daniel, 18, and nine-year-old Jacob, Mathew remained in the background, according to his family.

His mother Wendy Smith, who set up the blood disorder charity BD Kids, said Mathew's self-esteem had been low when he left Thornton Grammar School.

She said: "At times he's been pushed from pillar to post because I have been down to the hospital and he has been dumped with auntie or uncle or grandma.

"But he's always been very supportive of everything."

But Wendy, of Wibsey, said her son suddenly discovered he was a star - both in front of the camera and behind the scenes - after he took part in a media course.

The course, which is run as a joint venture through Connexions, the Bradford Foyer, the Prince's Trust and Mapa recording studio in Bradford, gives students the chance to have a go at producing short films, radio programmes and recording music.

Mathew's confidence soared when he found he was good at making videos, and that he could sing.

Wendy said: "His confidence has just spiralled, it's gone crazy. It's like he's come out of his shell. He's got all these colours I didn't know about."

And Mathew is now so self-assured that he has taken on the role of organising and presenting the annual BD Kids fundraising show - a task usually undertaken by his mother.

She said: "He came to me and said mum, I really want to do the show'. He said he wanted to do it for Daniel and Jacob as well as BD Kids."

Mathew booked the Priestley for the event, called Take the Mike, which will be held on August 11.

As well as hosting, Mathew intends to perform at the concert which will be a song-based talent show for people from all backgrounds and of all abilities. He said: "It's about music, I'm going to get people singing. People from all different backgrounds and cultures will go on stage."

Sam Collier, 20, who has organised similar shows at the Priestley and recently set up a new youth-based performance group called Re-Invention, is helping Mathew with the task.

But despite having a time-consuming project on his hands, Mathew is also making time to develop his own talents.

He recently auditioned for TV programme Britain's Top Talent, and he is planning to try out for the X-Factor this summer.

And he has several film and radio projects in the pipeline.

Jerry Crawford, of Mapa Studios, who was one of the tutors on the course, said: "Mathew's got a lot of quality talent. When I first met him he was pretty shy, but he's really come out of his shell."

Advance tickets for Take the Mike will cost £5 and £3.50 for concessions, with tickets on the day costing £7 and £5.50 for concessions. Tickets can be brought from the Priestley box office on (01274) 820666.