BOLTON folk-pop star Badly Drawn Boy is a step closer to success on the American music scene after one of his songs was chosen to back a TV advertising campaign by a US mobile phone firm.

The song, "Walking Out of Stride," can be heard across America on a TV advert for Cellular South, which is one of the country's largest telecommunications companies.

The song is already familiar to fans after it was heard on the soundtrack to the film About A Boy, starring Hugh Grant. It was penned entirely by the singer, whose real name is Damon Gough.

The mobile phone advert features various everyday items dancing in time to Gough's song, such as a water hose and a spinning manhole cover, and will be seen on a daily basis by millions of viewers across America.

The former Thornleigh Salesian College pupil, who comes from Breightmet, has done several tours of the US in the last few years, but the TV appearance will raise his profile further.