[ ClassicalX ] Reality stars stay in music spotlight

They might not have won, but singers Jonathan Ansell and Faryl Smith have certainly made the most of their time on reality TV.

As the former front man of opera boy band G4, Jonathan, aged 27, is best remembered for coming second to Steve Brookstein's first in the 2004 edition of X Factor, while teenage sensation Faryl, pictured, won the heart of the nation in the second series of Britain's Got Talent.

Next weekend, the tenor and mezzo-soprano will be performing together at Hanley's Victoria Hall in aid of ARCH, a North Staffordshire charity providing services and support to the homeless and those in risk of being homeless.

While they admit to never sharing the stage before, Jonathan was particularly impressed with Faryl's effort on the popular ITV show.

"Britain's Got Talent was a highlight for me," says Jonathan, who left G4 in 2007 to pursue a solo career. "I didn't watch every episode but I did Sky+ a lot of it and managed to see Faryl. I thought she was comfortable on stage and I was impressed with her voice."

Faryl on the other hand, fresh from school and having just celebrated her 14th birthday, was a little more star struck when she first got to meet her talent show idol.

"I've watched X Factor from the beginning and I really wanted G4 to win," she says. "I thought they were great and when I met Jonathan at the Thriller Live premiere in London, I couldn't believe how nice he was. I went over to talk to him and ask for a photo for my collection and I thought he would just say 'yes' and move on, but he didn't."

On the night the singers will perform songs from their albums – Jonathan from Forever and Tenor At The Movies, and Faryl from her eponymous debut album and soon-to-be-released second album.

"There will be a huge variety of songs from Faryl and myself, as well as some duets," explains Jonathan. "We have a new singer called Kirsten Moore joining us and we also have a fantastic string quartet playing live, so it will be a night of beautiful, intimate music."

With the new series of X Factor dominating the weekend's ratings, Jonathan and Faryl have been following the progress of this year's wannabe superstars.

Jonathan says: "I'm hooked on these shows having been through the same process. You have a slightly different outlook because you know how scenes are either twisted to favour or not favour certain acts, but I have an open mind about performers because it's manipulated so much for TV."

The success both Jonathan and Faryl have had has surpassed that of most other 'stars' to emerge from the talent show phenomenon. But while they are riding high at the moment, they are aware that things might not last forever.

Faryl says: "I'm going to enjoy it and if it carries on then that's fantastic but if not, then I'll just go back to being the girl I was before."

Jonathan and Faryl can be seen at the Victoria Hall on Saturday, October 10, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £30* and £25.

In a special concert promotion, £10 has been knocked off the top £30 price band until Wednesday. Call the box office on 0844 871 7649.

Source: This is Staffordshire