Paul Potts: It began when I was a teenager. I had been listening to orchestral music and then bought a cheap Jose Carreras CD. I loved it so I wanted to hear more.
PP: My inspiration is Jose Carreras's battle with leukaemia and his continued performance in spite of it. One of my other idols, Carlo Bergonzi, died only a few days ago - a sublime voice with great tenderness and control.
PP: Really from the time I was able to sing. I never saw it as being a possibility, but it was always a dream.
PP: Early on as a tenor, I tried to walk before I could run and entered a big competition in Spain when my knowledge of Italian was non-existent. That left me initially very deflated.
PP: I had to feel the disappointment in order to learn to take one step at a time.
PP: Timing is everything; you have to be sure you are ready.
PP: I'd be working in retail management now.
PP: I loved performing even though I didn't think it would lead anywhere. I gave up singing in 2003, but didn't give up dreaming.
PP: Absolutely zero. To my mind, I was too old, too fat and not good looking enough for TV, so I assumed failure.
PP: It was life changing. I don't think I have ever been so blown away by a single event!
PP: Singing in front of more than a million people in Berlin in 2011. Mind-blowing!
PP: In a word, surreal. Most surreal was watching James Corden's mouth move and my voice come out! I love the movie though. It's everything I wanted it to be: funny and moving. [Academy Award-winning director] David Frankel and the whole team did a fantastic job.
PP: I love exploring new places, taking in the culture (and the food!). I also love meeting new audiences, and taking lots of photographs ("happy snapping" in the words of my wife!).
PP: There will be a great mix of music from a tribute to Mario Lanza to some great classics.
PP: I am hoping to have some time to see more of the country. I have been twice before, once to Cape Town and most recently to Johannesburg. I am looking forward to seeing even more!
PP: I have my fourth studio album out later in the year. Other than that I'd love to keep coming back to South Africa!
PP: I'd love to work with Celine Dion, a great voice with power and beauty.
PP: Never give up. You never know when it's your turn. And when it is your turn, don't take anything for granted.
Paul Potts, Amira Willighagen, and James Bhemgee perform at Montecasino's Teatro in Johannesburg on Friday, 15 August (8pm), Saturday, 16 August (8pm), and Sunday, 17 August (3pm). Book at Computicket.