Bo' Selecta! owes many of its laughs to a certain Mr Craig David, but the British singer reckons its creator Leigh Francis is not the only star who should be thanking him.

"I came from a scene that opened the doors for a lot of the artists that are coming through now," said Craig.

"The Taio Cruz's, the Jay Seans, the Dizzee Rascals, Wileys, Chipmunks. All these people are from the same era that I started off with The Artful Dodger," he said.

At the age of 19, Craig became the youngest male solo artist to reach number one in the UK with his track Fill Me In. Several top 10 singles followed, plus chart success in the States.

Now 28, and with his fifth studio album - Signed Sealed Delivered - out, the singer has been keeping a keen eye on Britain's newest crop of urban music stars, like Dizzee and Tinchy Stryder, but believes one MC is being unfairly left behind.

"Kano is one of those guys that doesn't get the reconition he deserves. He should be up there with all of those guys as lyrically he is on fire," said the Born To Do It star.

"I'm happy for Jay Sean and Taio Cruz having great success in America as well," he added.

"I think UK soul, R&B should always be appreciated in America. I'm thankful that I was able to open doors back in the day with that."