A little-known singer-songwriter has secured a multi-million pound record deal and television advertising contract.

After six years of gigs in working men's clubs across the country, 24-year-old Skott Francis has secured a three-album deal with N2 Records, which is distributed by Universal.

For his first project his vocals will be used in a television ad campaign being rolled out across Europe.

Skott has recorded an updated dance hall cover of a classic song for the ad, which will be aired in France and Spain this month and hit screens in the UK in May.

According to his manager, Erika Lee, of Taylor Avenue, in Silsden, they are not allowed to reveal the name of the product or the cover song until nearer the time.

"It's a massive name though -- a global product and the song is very well known."

She added: "Skott will be a major celebrity by the time we hit July and August.

"He's going to be the next UK music idol -- I'm not joking. He's absolutely fantastic. Everybody is going gaga over him."

Through the 30 million euro ad campaign, Skott hopes to follow in the footsteps of bands like Stereogram, Aqualung and even Justin Timberlake, whose songs were used in adverts before becoming instant hits in the charts.

Skott, who is also from Silden, described his music as R and B/Soul, with a hint of Latin spirit.

He was born in Denmark and is half-Spanish. He was raised in England but has spent a lot of time in Marbella, Spain, where his parents now live.

"You've got to use what you've got. I can speak Spanish, so I sing a few songs in Spanish and include a lot of flamenco guitar," he said.

Music has been Skott's passion for ten years. He cited his main influences as Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Marvin Gaye and Boyz II Men.

He moved to Silsden a year ago to be near Erika, who worked with Marmalade in the 70s, discovered Mel and Kim in the 80s and more recently represented Bradford's Mark Kerins, winner of BBC's Star for a Night talent contest in 2002.

She runs a web-based promotion company called letstalkmusic.com with renowned voice coach Stevie Lange, who has coached the likes of Robbie Williams, Blue, Girls Aloud and Jamie Cullam. Erika started Skott in working men's clubs in Leeds, Bradford and even Silsden and moved him on to larger venues further afield.

"People kept asking why I wasn't trying out for Popstars or Pop Idol but to be honest I don't want a six month career, I'm in it for the long run," said Skott.

"It's been a lot of hard work -- and we've taken a lot of rejections -- but it now all seems to be happening for me."

He added: "It hasn't really sunk in yet. It's all happened really quickly. I keep thinking I'm just going to wake up and it has all been a dream."

Skott will soon be jetting off to Portugal to film the video for his cover song, which will be released into the charts in the autumn.

He then hopes to release a brand new track from his 80-strong catalogue of original songs.

Skott said: "I was offered the deal nine weeks ago but it was only recently that we signed the contract. Then I got another offer from Columbia. Record deals are a bit like buses. It's been years of nothing and then two come along at once. We've been walking on egg shells for a while, so now that I've got a deal I think it's time to celebrate."