Guitarists who brought joy to nurses, doctors and other key workers by playing gigs in their gardens during lockdown are heading for the charts

They brought joy to nurses, doctors and other key workers by playing impromptu gigs in their gardens during lockdown.

Now classically trained guitarists Will Cashel and Ben Bruant, known as duo, have landed a record deal, and will release an album of their flamenco-fused covers of chart hits and classic songs in February.

The former Royal Academy of Music students have performed all over Europe, including twice for Prince William. Their album, Gig in Your Garden, is named after the free concerts the pair staged for key workers to thank them during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Classically trained guitarists Will Cashel and Ben Bruant, known as duo, have landed a record deal

Fans were invited to nominate people to be serenaded, and those chosen included teachers, pharmacists, care home, postal and charity workers and even the chief nurse of London Nightingale Hospital. The gigs, which are continuing through winter, have been streamed live worldwide.

Cashel said: ‘It’s been such a pleasure playing for so many amazing frontline and key workers and we’re really excited to be bringing these tracks to a studio album for the first time… A lot of people have been shut inside and it gave them something to look forward to each week.’

The band’s first single, Despacito, has just been released.

They will donate 50p from the sale of every CD to The Florence Nightingale Foundation.

Their album, Gig in Your Garden, is named after the free concerts the pair staged for key workers to thank them during the Covid-19 pandemic