Teddington musician D'Artagnan knows the town's streets better than almost anyone.

Since April this year he's performed outdoor gigs at most of Teddington's roads, including cul-de-sacs and the high street.

Now the musician says it's been the busiest year of his career.

We talked to him about his activities over lockdown and the heart-warming story behind his new Christmas single.

Bringing songs to Teddington's streets

Before lockdown, D'Artagnan had a busy year planned ahead.

He had just released his debut album, Crush Hour, and was due to play bars, clubs and festivals.

Because of the pandemic, however, these were all cancelled.

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But he soon realised there was a way he could help.

He said: "I used to see people coming out to clap on a Thursday and I thought actually if you put music into it that'll cheer people up, so I asked my street if they'd like me to play a gig and they said they'd love me to.

"I played on my street and it went down really well."

Since then, he estimates that he's played 160 gigs.

He explained that he doesn't charge to play but leaves the guitar case out, so people pay what they can.

"It's been just lovely, it's been such a joy to do, people have said I've changed the DNA of this street," he said.

"They used to know only the neighbours next door and now they know the whole street everyone comes out and has a nice time.

"Every street has its own flavour as well which is so nice, some streets you get the whole street dancing.

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"I was chuffed by it in the end, really humbled by the response in Teddington."

He has also played for care homes and schools in the area, such as St Mary's and St Peters' in Teddington where he did an assembly.

After an assembly at The Good Shepherd in Shepherd's Bush, he got a message from a teacher saying 10 of the little ones said it was the best day of their lives!

"I've been to anniversaries, people's work parties, birthdays, weddings, I've been really busy," he added.

The Christmas single he wrote for his fiancé

Following his touring success, D'Artagnan says his debut album, available on all download sites and Kingston shop Banquet Records, is selling well.

But closest to his heart is one song with a festive theme.

'Merry Christmas Darling', released two years ago but back out now, was written by D'Artagnan after he proposed to his girlfriend at Hampton Court Palace skating rink.

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It was the same place they'd had their first date exactly a year ago.

"Halfway through the session I proposed on the ice and she said yes which is beautiful, so I thought I'd write a song about this which is this Christmas song," he explained.

"She really liked it and my mates liked it so we started to record it and that was it!

"We haven't been married yet we've been so busy with other things.

"We're still very much in love, we will get married eventually."

And true to form, the couple would like to be wedded at Hampton Court Palace.

D'Artagnan's single 'Merry Christmas Darling' is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Check out the single HERE

Plus you can check our D'Artagnan's website HERE