 During this time, he earned the opportunity to collaborate with a number of diverse and well respected writers and artists including Rick Astley, John Barrowman, Joe Brown, Sam Brown, Charlotte Church, Jarvis Cocker, Roger Cook, Jason Donovan, Rob Davis, Robin Gibb, The Hollies, Kenney Jones, Ronan Keating, Lee Mead, Dennis Morgan, Denny Randell, Graham Stack, Mark Taylor and several UK X Factor finalists.In 2009, he made an appearance at St' Edmunds Catholic School, Dover, Kent performing his first number one hit from when he was a member of a1 'take on me'

In March 2009, Read was invited to appear at the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards, where he performed the self-penned track "Greatest Lady in My Life".The song was inspired by his friend's mother and was released as a download single.