“It still hasn’t sunk in. Universal is such a great company,” says Tyler Rix of his £1m, four-album record deal with Universal Music, the largest record company in the world, where he joins a stable which includes Amy Winehouse, Take That and Jamie Cullum.

“I’m just amazed that there’s a website that’s got my name on it, where you can click a button and listen to me playing the saxophone.”

It’s worth remembering, of course, that in deals touted as being worth £1m, only a relatively small proportion of that usually goes to the artist. The norm is for much of it to be spent on recording and publicity.

Tyler came to the attention of Universal bosses when he was 14, as one of the contestants on the BBC2 TV show Classical Star. Steve Abbott, one of the show’s judges, is now his manager.

The company certainly seems determined to make the most of Tyler as an asset, looks and all. They have made much of his footballing talent — he played for West Ham’s academy for several years after being snapped up on the day of his trial, and could have pursued football further.

On Tyler’s website and album notes are rather embarrassing descriptions of his “jet black eyes revealing a vulnerability and determination in equal measure” and “the swagger or tautness of his frame, a lithe footballer’s body”.

Fans may doubt whether these will do much for his credibility as a musician.

But Tyler, who goes to Dame Alice Owen’s School, in Potters Bar, isn’t worried about having his creativity restricted by the company’s marketing demands.

He says: “Obviously, they know what they’re doing. I suppose with the first album I just wanted to see how it went and what would happen. In future I just want to get my point across to them. They’re really good to talk to. There are great people there.”

The deal will certainly give him a barnstorming introduction to the professional music world.

He recorded his first album, Ascent, last summer.

It’s an ethereal-sounding affair featuring mainly classical tracks like Pachelbel’s Canon and Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei, many of which are already well-known through their use in high profile TV adverts or movies, or through being recorded by other artists.

Tyler worked with two producers to come up with a shortlist of songs, and then made the final selection himself.

“We all worked together and decided what type of sound we were trying to aim for,” he says.

That sound required the services of a full choir and orchestra, not just Tyler playing the sax.

Yet Tyler’s musical tastes range much wider than this first album would suggest; he also loves jazz and played in the London Jazz Festival in November.

Who knows where his next three albums could lead him.

Ascent is out now. To listen to extracts, visit www.tylerrix.com