Valentina Lisitsa at the keyboard

A virtuoso pianist who leapt to fame by posting videos of her performances on YouTube has secured a dream gig – at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Valentina Lisitsa’s YouTube channel has been viewed more than 43 million times since it was set up in 2007.

Her Royal Albert Hall concert, on June 19, is to be streamed live on the popular video sharing website.

The Ukraine-born musician started playing the piano aged three and played her first solo recital aged four.

Valentina hailed her fans – almost all of whom have never seen her play live.

“I could not have done this without all my online fans around the world.

“Their reactions tell me every day that I am doing the right thing and that’s the best reward for my hard work.

“Now I want to say thank you and give them a great concert live and online.

“Basically it’s a gathering for friends old and new.

“It’s a concert, but it’s also a celebration.

“There’s a lady from Barbados coming, and even people from New Zealand.”

“A force of nature” was how Valentina was described by a Royal Albert Hall chief.

Jasper Hope said: “I don’t know anybody else who has done this before and we simply had to open our doors to her and give her this opportunity on the world’s most famous stage.”