An up-and-coming singer has gone back to school to help inspire pupils across Greater Manchester.
Joel Rothwell has been touring schools in region, coinciding with Anti-Bullying Week.
As well as performing, the 23-year-old musician has been speaking about being bullied at school, telling students his own story.
Bury-born Joel flourished at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn, where he studied music at AS level in the sixth form.
But he told the M.E.N. he had been bullied at his previous school in Bolton - an experience which made him determined to succeed.
Even now, memories of his ordeal make him angry.
Joel has visited Essa Academy and Ladybridge High in Bolton, St Anne's Academy in Middleton, Hindley High School in Wigan, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Copley Academy in Stalybridge, and Manchester Enterprise Academy in Wythenshawe.
Joel told us: "I wanted to raise awareness about bullying, to go to schools and say to kids 'don't be afraid to speak out.'
"I told them to speak to their friends, their families and their teachers and they can message me because they shouldn't feel alone.
"I was bullied and it affected me mentally.
"School felt like a prison and the sad thing is I thought that's what school was."
Joel, who is releasing a new EP called Know Them, performed with Take That superstar Gary Barlow at a charity concert in aid of Help for Heroes in 2016.
He has also been performing across shopping centres to raise money and awareness for the local charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which was founded by a close friend.
He said: "It was always in mind to help others after what happened to me.
"I wanted to tell my story. I don't want anyone to go through what I experienced.
"I still get angry when I think about it. For me music is my therapy."
