INSPIRAL Carpets star Clint Boon went back to college to inspire the next generation desperate to break into the music industry.

Keyboard player Clint was at Bolton Sixth Form to talk about how a “working class lad from Oldham, often mistaken for being from Bolton” achieved his dreams of making it as a pop star.

The Inspiral Carpets were one of the major bands to make it big during the Manchester music scene in the 1990s.

Clint, who is now an XFM drive-time presenter and DJ, said: “I did not enjoy school, but I said I wanted to be a vet, I like animals. But that was a front because I wanted to be a pop star. I got a job so I could buy musical equipment. The phone call from the Inspiral Carpets was the most important phone call of my life.”

Clint who performed in Rome this week, spoke of how it was important for youngsters from working class backgrounds to reach the top of their profession.

He said: “I want them to get out there and knock on doors. They are now taught music and recording but there is so much competition, people will be learning the same thing across the country.

“A line out of an Oasis song said ‘You got to make it happen’. That is very powerful, a degree certificate won’t get you the job. It is about getting out there and taking a chance.”

And taking him at his word, some students — who know him through his radio career — took the chance to network with him.

A-level student, Callum Smith, aged 17, passed on his details to Clint. He said: “I am really interested in copyright law and internet piracy.

“I am hoping he can put me in touch with the drummer in Blur who also is interested in copyright law.”

Marcin Ochwat, also aged 17, said: “It was a very inspiring talk. I want to be in a band and am studying music. It makes you feel you can do it, I want to take every opportunity, every single chance and go knocking on doors now.”

Thomas Hunt, aged 17, said: “My mum listens to his music. I know about him through XFM and came to get tips in how to break into a competitive industry because I am studying media.”

Visit organiser, Paul Fenner, said he wanted students to get first-hand experience of the different careers they want to break into alongside getting good academic qualifications.