AN Indian superstar - who shot to stardom after performing in front of thousands with Diego Maradona - is hoping to continue his career after moving to Barnsley.
Charles Antony, 50, has been singing professionally for 30 years - but his first real taste of the limelight came in 2012.
While performing in front of thousands of locals in Kerala, India - he sang for footballing hero Diego Maradona, who died in November 2020, to celebrate his 52nd birthday.
Charles told the Chronicle: “I have been in the music industry for 30 years now.
“I first met Maradona in 2012 in Kerala, India.
“I was supposed to be singing for his 52nd birthday celebration - it was in front of thousands of people on stage.
“I sang happy birthday to him in Spanish and he liked it so much that he took the mic and started singing himself.
“He loved music as much as he loved football.
“He was a blessed singer, too - he sang beautifully.”
The exposure from the video of the event, which garnered thousands of views online, shot Charles to stardom.
He immediately started getting more gigs and has won numerous awards and accolades on the back of them.
It culminated in yet another meeting with the Argentinian hero four years later in Kalkota.
“I received some international exposure after meeting and singing with him the first time,” he said.
“He then came back to India and Kolkata in 2016 - that’s when I was invited to sing with him again.
“He was enjoying it so much that he started to get involved with the singing again.
“I was singing in Spanish and he was really impressed.”
Last year, he released a song for the World Cup - sang in both English and Spanish - in memory of Maradona.
It racked up thousands of views online
Charles moved to Barnsley in March this year after his wife got a new job locally - and he’s now wanting to pick up where he left off in India.
He managed to get a place on the bill at Barnsley Live - singing at Chambers in the town centre.
Hundreds of people saw Charles sing for the first time in the town that day - and he’s hopeful that event will kickstart his music career in the town.
“When I came here in March I ended up going straight on tour in the US,” he added.
“I did six concerts and then came back.
“I picked up a couple of awards as well.
“I’m really enjoying it here.
“I performed at Barnsley Live earlier this month and sang in Chambers.
“I did some Cuban songs - I can sing in 18 different foreign languages.”
Charles has a Facebook page which showcases his music, search Charles Antony for more information.
