A teenage rapper was lost for words when he scooped a top award for his music and youth work.

David O’Connell, 19, who raps under the name Phobea, walked up the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall to receive the Spirit of London award on Monday evening, October 10.

The awards were developed by the Damilola Taylor Trust to promote young people.

Judges Leona Lewis, Lemar and Kiss FM DJ Neev opted for David above the other two entrants in the category of achievement through music.

He said: “I was lost for words. I went up on stage and couldn’t see anything. There was just so many lights.

“Just to be there as top three, I was happy with. To find out I won, I was ecstatic.”

Football manager Harry Redknapp, Spurs star Jermaine Defoe, singer Keri Hilson and Tinchy Stryder were rubbing shoulders with the award winners.

The celebrity world was a far cry from his troubled upbringing on the Kingsnympton Estate where had problems with family and police, ending up in and out of hostels after his mother Elizabeth died when he was five.

Since then his passion for music and youth work has led him to champion better facilities in Kingston for those wanting to enter the music industry.

Youth workers say he was the catalyst for bringing a studio to the Searchlight centre.

He met Prime Minister David Cameron at Number 10 Downing Street last month in the run-up to the awards ceremony.

He said: “This award means so much. It has inspired and encouraged me to push harder in music and work a lot harder.

“I want to continue helping young people in the music industry. I want to pass on my knowledge that I have learned to help other people.”

Steve Hunt, the manager of Dickerage Road playground where David is an apprentice, said: “He has done fantastic at the award ceremony. We are all proud of the guy.

“He texted me straight after he won it at home and let me know.

“He is just such a talented young guy.”

His partner Sarah Fairbrass, who he lives with in Tolworth, friend Selina O’Shea, joined him at the awards ceremony.

Fellow rapper Stitch, whose real name is Scott Wheeler, who he makes videos and music, was also there with Kingston Council youth workers Gary Weston and Frances Taylor.

A spokesman for the Spirit of London (SOLA) foundation said: "We are really excited to have David as part of the family in his new role as a SOLA ambassador as the Spirit Of London awards is one night but the work of the ambassadors and foundation inspiring Londoners is year long."

Mr O’Connell said: “Already I have started a project to increase the facilities within the borough of Kingston and give people more opportunities and more chances to create music."

Got a story for us? Call 020 8744 4244, tweet @surreycomet or email: newsdesk@surreycomet.co.uk