[ ClassicalX ] Aled Jones, still in fine voice

The Aled Jones show is back on Radio Wales in October and his new series of The Choir airs on Radio 3.

Singer, Songs of Praise presenter and radio broadcaster Aled was born and brought up in Llandegfan, Anglesey.

His musical talent was first discovered when he was a choirboy in Beaumaris.

He went on to join Bangor Cathedral choir, but hit the big time with his Christmas single Walking in The Air, from the animation film, The Snowman.

Following the release of his debut album, Aled became a worldwide phenomenon.

ALED JONES: THE FACTS
Born Bangor, 29 Dec 1970
Attended Llandegfan Primary School, David Hughes School, Menai Bridge
Married to Claire
He sang with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, with Leonard Bernstein at the Barbican and at a private performance for the Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace's music room.

Recordings from this time include Walking in the Air, Voices from the Holy Land and The Ugly Duckling. He even achieved the ultimate accolade of having a Spitting Image puppet made of him.

After attending the Royal Academy of Music, London, Aled unveiled his mature baritone voice in Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat musical. He returned to TV screens as presenter of BBC Songs of Praise, and Heno on S4C.

Aled's first album as a baritone, Aled featured a duet between Aled as a boy soprano and as he sings today.

He now presents shows on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio Wales, as well as continuing with Songs of Praise on BBC One. He also played the role of Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Aled lives with wife Claire, a former air hostess, and their children in Barnes, London. In 2003 he received the accolade of a This Is Your Life tribute on BBC One and the following year he competed in Strictly Come Dancing .

The Choir, Sundays at 6.30pm from 20 September, BBC Radio 3

Aled Jones, Sundays at 12pm, from 4 October, BBC Radio Wales.

Aled`s first guest of the series on Radio Wales is the legendary British racing driver Sir Stirling Moss OBE.

Source: BBC North West Wales