IT might take some pizza-lovers by surprise, were your favourite waiter to suddenly appear in the centre of the restaurant singing swing classics.

But that is exactly what Jack Montgomery has done: gone from serving people their American Hots to performing some of the hottest American hits of the 50s and 60s in Pizza Expresses across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

And Montgomery will now be performing in Worcester’s branch, every second Thursday until Christmas.

“It’s certainly proving a better way to make money - but I know my manager in Bromsgrove doesn’t want to lose me as a waiter,” said Montgomery.

“Although,” he added, “she is coming to terms with the fact it might happen.”

Montgomery will share the slot with local man Dean Elliott, who will perform on alternate Thursdays and who, this year alone, has played at the O2 Arena in London and Glastonbury.

Elliott is probably best-known, however, for playing the lead in Buddy the Musical.

And it seems both have a love of the West End: eventually, it’s where Montgomery would like to end up.

In fact, Montgomery’s first love is certainly not music and the 19-year-old has already built up quite a CV for himself in the acting world.

In the last five years, he has appeared in Torchwood as a younger version of protagonist Captain Jack Harkness, was Jeremy Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium and was also part of the original cast of Mary Poppins in which he played Michael Banks.

“I originally approached Pizza Express because I wanted to make some money waiting in between acting jobs,” he explained. “I have to go to London for auditions. Jersey Boys and that kind of thing is what is coming my way, but it’s a difficult business.”

So, for the moment, it seems Montgomery is quite happy performing in restaurants - and the customers don’t seem to mind him performing.

“It seems to have gone down well - it works in the atmosphere,” said Montgomery.

“In the Worcester branch, I kind of stand in front of the kitchen and the speakers create an even sound. It’s not too imposing.

“The main thing I’m conscious of is the fact people are there to have a nice evening and a chat. I’m just the background entertainment as opposed to saying, here I am, listen to me.”

- Music from about 7.30pm until 9:30pm each Thursday at Pizza Express.

• 17th with Dean Elliott • 24th with Jack Montgomery December • 1st with Dean Elliott • 8th with Jack Montgomery • 15th With Dean Elliott • 22nd with Jack Montgomery • 29th with Dean Elliott