ANDREA BOCELLI - BOCELLI: 'PAVAROTTI LAUNCHED MY CAREER'

Singer ANDREA BOCELLI has credited late opera legend LUCIANO PAVAROTTI with launching his career - but insists he's not the star's singing successor. The Italian tenor, 49, is grateful for fellow countryman Pavarotti's support during his life, branding him a "key player" in his chart success. But Bocelli remains adamant no other star could ever come close to emulating the late singer's talent. He says, "He played a key role in my career. He was the first important person to believe in me and introduced me to other important people. He helped open a lot of doors that might otherwise have remained shut. "I don't think there's much point in looking for heirs to Pavarotti. He was unique. He touched people's hearts the world over in a special way. The rest of us just try to do our best." Pavarotti died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on 6 September (07).