“Glee” star Damian McGinty has said he is excited for Derry’s City of Culture celebrations next year.

“The City of Culture celebrations are going to be fantastic for Derry,” he told the Derry Journal.

The 19-year-old revealed he has been asked to sign up as a ‘Cultural Champion’ for 2013.

“I’m really happy to have been asked to become a Champion for the City of Culture,” he said.

“Even though I spend a lot of time working in the United States, I am always keen to get home at any opportunity, and I am very proud of my home city of Derry.”

“Like everyone else I was so happy when the city won the honor of City of Culture for 2013. There are so many talented people and creatives in the city. I know that from my own experience of the music scene at home.

“The city is bursting at the seams with talented musicians and performers. Growing up in Derry you are surrounded by music and that played a big part in moulding me into the performer that I am today.

“City of Culture will provide the creative community in the city with the platform to display the wealth of talent that exists here, talent that those of us from Derry have been aware of.”

The Derry resident’s fan base has increased thanks to his role playing exchange student Rory Flanagan on the FOX TV show. After taking part in “The Glee Project”, the teenager won a coveted place on the show which guaranteed him a seven-show stint that has since been extended.