A ONE-handed pianist from Colchester has been announced as the new presenter of BBC Proms.

Nicholas McCarthy, who was born with no right hand but took up the piano aged 14, has been selected to present the annual event for BBC 4.

Mr McCarthy, 24, from Colchester, is the world’s only one handed pianist.

He performed with hit British band Coldplay at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics, in London, in 2012.

The star, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the BBC proms team.

“I'm honoured to have been asked to share my passion for music with the viewers for what is certain to be a very exciting season of programming."

Last year, he toured South Africa and played in London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Kennedy Centre, in Washington.

Mr McCarthy was the first ever one handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in its 130 years after he was taken on as a protege by acclaimed concert pianist Lucy Parham.

The Proms take place between July 18 and September 13.