In 2012 the Woodbridge teenager had just become an internet sensation.

East Anglian Daily Times: Back in 2012 Jack Streat, then 17, of was a LEGO weapons builder whose YouTube videos had over 15 million views worldwide . Photographed with his model of a 'Jungle Carbine'. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNBack in 2012 Jack Streat, then 17, of was a LEGO weapons builder whose YouTube videos had over 15 million views worldwide . Photographed with his model of a 'Jungle Carbine'. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

Aged 17 and a pupil at Woodbridge School Jack’s passion for Lego and his ability to create replica weapons in the medium had brought the youngster a publishing deal.

“I was still at school back then,” laughed Jack, speaking to this paper almost six years later.

A lot has changed for Jack since then. No longer producing Lego videos on sharing platform, YouTube, and now aged 23 Jack works in advanced concepts for well known digger company JCB after having studied engineering at university.

“We do the up and coming fun stuff,” said Jack, “we test them out.”

Yet despite his day job Jack continues to find himself living a double life, once as a student and an author and now as an engineer and a musician.

In 2012 Jack told this newspaper that he could count playing guitar among his other skills with Lego remaining a priority.

Today he forms one fifth of the Dutch band Shadowrise.

“I started playing guitar at eight or nine. I found heavy metal and everything got heavier and heavier,” said Jack.

“At university I wanted to play gigs and play bands. I was posting covers on YouTube.”

In September last year Jack was head hunted by his future band and asked to audition for an opening in the group.

Within weeks Jack was playing live having had to quickly master the group’s songs for a Dutch “femme” gig which features bands with female vocalists.

“It was an absolute blast and a lot of fun,”said Jack.

The band have just released their first album, Shadowrise, and have been playing gigs to celebrate its launch.

Even while the band are promoting their first record, Jack is already looking forward to their next.

“Everyone is also wanting you to get the next bit done,” said Jack.

“I’ve already started writing it. I don’t like stopping.”

Jack returns to Woodbridge and Durham every so often for special occasions.

As for his Lego projects Jack isn’t ruling out a return to his past creative successes at some point in the near future: “It’s a long time ago but the channel stills gets views and I still have a couple of ideas.”