A FORMER Inverkeithing High pupil blew away viewers with a surprise performance on primetime Saturday evening television recently.

Jane Espie, otherwise known as The Phantom Piper, appeared on the final episode of Game of Talents last month.

The show, hosted by Vernon Kay, featured celebrities Mel B and Michelle Visage and saw teams competing to guess what the performer's talent was through cryptic clues.

"I was very excited to be part of this new awesome show and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands!" said Jane, 33, who also works for NHS Fife as an operating theatre nurse.

"I work very closely with my fellow bandmate to create music so we worked together on what to play. I play bagpipes and he plays bass and creates the backing tracks. He is a very talented man and I’m lucky to have my talented friend working along with me.

"I loved it. I was looked after very well on the show. All the crew were fantastic and very attentive. It was nice to get my hair and make-up done too.

"Vernon Kay, Michelle Visage and Mel B were super-nice too. We had some laughs, and they were so lovely! I feel honoured to have met them and the other wonderful acts.

"I had to keep it a secret until after it aired. Believe me, I wanted to tell my friends and family but I had to stay quiet. People were shocked. I got tons of messages and phone calls after it.

"I have had lots of positive feedback with lots of lovely messages and gig requests."

Now celebrating her 25th year of piping, Jane joined the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band after leaving the Inverkeithing High School Pipe Band. She then moved on to the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing Pipe Ban before playing for the Spanish-based Torrevieja Pipes and Drum group.

She then made the decision to go freestyle and worked on going solo as The Phantom Piper. She travelled around the world to perform and also starred as part of bands, Soar Patrol, Celtica – pipes rock and Celtica Nova.

"I was a full-time musician for most of my 20s and early 30s," explained Jane. "I also kept myself on the nurse bank as I knew I would eventually go back to it full-time as I love working in the hospital and looking after people.

"I then took a permanent post at a hospital back in 2019. I love working there as I work with a bunch of awesome people. I am keeping my music going though! I will always be The Phantom Piper.

"Normally, I would be off playing in the USA. I was meant to play on a cruise ship to the Bahamas but COVID-19 cancelled that. But once everything settled down, I will be back up to all sorts of shenanigans with bagpipes once again."

All episodes of Game of Talents are available on the ITV Hub.