"Before I came on stage today, I didn't write a set list, which is why there's nothing about me in your programmes." There was a rustling as people opened their programmes to verify his claim. "I'd like to talk a little about the pieces I played.

'They were all my own compositions, which I wrote at various points in my life. The first - the simple, relatively unimpressive one - I wrote when I was twelve, and had just started piano, but I like to think my improvement over the years made it a good piece to listen to."

The audience murmured. Improvement?

"Then, there was my first day at school. That was a traumatic day, I can tell you, but it was improved by the fact that on that day I met the boy for whom I composed the next piece, the only composition I've ever named - The Heart Asks Pleasure First.

'We then get something rather too loud, too angry, too full of dischords and rhythms that don't quite fit, but it represents rather accurately the day I left my parents' house after being humiliated and shamed for being gay. Oh, yeah, I'm gay. Forgot to mention. If that offends you, feel free to leave, but know that I really don't care about your opinion of me."

Nobody stood up.

"Then, we have a selection of pieces for the most important people in my life. You probably haven't realised, but these pieces all fit together. They layer on top of each other and sound even better than they just did. I'd play that for you, but I don't have fourteen hands.

'Anyway, those pieces were written for my favourite people. My parents are in there, which I suppose is my way of forgiving them. Then, there's my brother, Marcus, who I haven't seen in a while. If you're here, Marcus, I miss you.

'Then, PJ and Chris, two of my best friends and my OTP - I helped to make it canon, in case you were wondering."

Two loud squeals came from near the front of the stage, and Dan stepped forward to see PJ and Chris waving wildly at him and cheering. Grinning, he stepped back again.

"Miss Averell, my piano teacher, was the loveliest music teacher I've ever met, and it was partly thanks to her encouragement that I'm here today talking to you all.

'And finally, probably my favourite person in the whole world, my boyfriend Phil - the main reason I'm here, both in this hall, and in this city at all. Without him, I'd probably have starved on the streets after my parents threw me out, because I didn't know where to go. So Phil," here he turned to his left and looked straight at Phil, standing beside the stage with tears running down his face, "thank you so, so much."

He made a tiny motion with his hand and Phil awkwardly stepped out and stood beside Dan, trying to wipe the tears off his cheeks.

Dan wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close,holding the microphone down to his side and whispering, "I love you so much, you know that?"

Phil smiled, gently pressing his lips against Dan's, ignoring the crowd watching their every move. When, after what seemed like an eternity, they broke apart, the hall filled with cheers. Even when Dan picked up the microphone they didn't quieten, so he just had to wait, hand intertwined with Phil's, until the noise died down.

When it did, Dan smiled amd held the microphone to his mouth.

"Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. Six months ago, i would never have dreamed my piano playing hobby would take me this far. Years of practice, I thought, could never live up to Masters and their immediate talent.

'And yes, I did say practice. You might be wondering why. Well, my name is Dan Howell - you probably recognise that - and i am a Non-Master."