Aled Jones

Aled Jones, (born 29 December 1970) is a Welsh singer, radio and television presenter, and actor. As a teenage chorister, he gained widespread fame in 1985 with his recording of " Walking in the Air", which reached No 5 in the UK pop chart. He has since worked in television with the BBC and ITV, and on radio for the BBC and Classic FM.

In September 2012, Jones joined ITV Breakfast, where he presented '' Daybreak'' (2012–2014), alongside Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway. For the BBC, he has presented ''Songs of Praise'' (since 2004), '' Cash in the Attic'' (2010–2012), '' Escape to the Country'' (2009–2013), and ''Going Back Giving Back'' (since 2016).

Career

1970-1990

Jones was born in St. David's Hospital in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, the only child of Nest Rowlands, a teacher, and Derek John Jones, a draughtsman for a shipbuilder. He was raised in the small Welsh-speaking community of Llandegfan on Anglesey, and attended Ysgol David Hughes (a secondary school). Jones joined the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was lead soloist within two years, although he was never Head Chorister. The remarkable quality of Jones' treble voice was appreciated by a member of the congregation, Hefina Orwig Evans, who wrote a letter to record company Sain, and he was duly signed. In 1982, Jones won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for competitors under 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

Jones became famous for the cover version of " Walking in the Air", the song from Channel 4's animated film '' The Snowman'', based on the book by Raymond Briggs. The record reached number five in the UK charts in 1985. Although it is often reported that Jones sang the version used in the 1982 film, that was actually performed by Peter Auty, a St Paul's Cathedral choirboy.

In June 1985, Jones was the subject of an Emmy Award–winning BBC Omnibus documentary entitled ''The Treble''. Jones, with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, was behind the '' Santa Claus: The Movie'', original motion picture soundtrack, "Every Christmas Eve" of 1985. Also in 1985, Jones was employed by Mike Oldfield to sing on his single " Pictures in the Dark", a three-voice song, on which he performed with Anita Hegerland and Barry Palmer, but the song did not reach the UK Top 40. In 1986, he sang the theme song for the Siriol Animation film ''A Winter Story''. The song was a modest success, reaching number 51 in the UK Singles Chart.

In 1986, he sang the oratorio '' Athalia''.

Jones' recording career was temporarily halted in the late 1980s. By then he had sung for Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales in a private recital, as well as presenting numerous children's television programmes. He sang at the wedding of celebrities Bob Geldof and Paula Yates in 1986. Jones also had the distinction of being the first artist to have two classical albums listed simultaneously in the popular music charts, and worked with Leonard Bernstein (''Chichester Psalms'').

Jones' first biography, ''Walking on Air'', was published in 1986.

1990s-present

In September 1990, Jones made his acting debut at the Royal Theatre (Northampton) in Shaun McKenna's adaptation of Richard Llewellyn's '' How Green Was My Valley'' playing the teenage Huw Morgan.

Jones went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music for three years and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, before beginning his adult recording career, which has featured a largely religious/inspirational repertoire. In 1995 he took the leading role in the long-running production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's '' Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'' at the Blackpool Wintergardens Opera house stage. From September 1996 to May 1997 Jones played the young Tom Gradgrind (a non-singing role) in a large-scale national touring production of Charles Dickens's '' Hard Times''. Theatres at which the play was presented included Theatre Royal, Brighton, Bath Theatre Royal and Richmond Theatre.

In 2005, Jones launched his autobiography, ''Aled: The Autobiography'', written in collaboration with Darren Henley. In 2013, Jones released his extended autobiography, ''Aled Jones: My Story''.

Following the launch of his first baritone album, ''Aled'' on the Universal Music label in Australia in May 2003, Jones visited the country on a promotional tour. He has since successfully toured in concert there five times: in Dec 2003, Aug 2006, Oct 2008, Aug/Sep 2010 and Feb 2015, performing in eight cities.

Jones released two singles with Terry Wogan in aid of the ''Children in Need'' appeal.

From 3 July to 30 August 2008, Jones played the lead role of Caractacus Potts in ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. He returned to the stage, playing Bob Wallace in '' White Christmas'' at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, and at The Lowry, Salford Quays, from November 2009 until 9 January 2010, and again from 11 to 26 November 2011 at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, from 1 to 17 December at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, and at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool (22 December 2011 to 7 January 2012) On 8 November 2014 Jones made his West End debut, again playing Bob Wallace in " White Christmas", this time at the Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road.

Following the publication of ''Aled's Forty Favourite Hymns'' in 2009, a further book, ''Favourite Christmas Carols'', was published on 28 October 2010; Jones took the book on his UK tour in November and December 2010. On 29 November, his CD, ''Aled's Christmas Gift'', was issued to accompany the book.

On 11 October 2010, Jones was confirmed to take over as stand-in presenter of the early morning breakfast slot on BBC Radio 2 following the departure of Sarah Kennedy, a role he occasionally covered in the years leading up to her departure. Jones covered this slot for six weeks until the beginning of his UK tour.

Jones is mentoring Isabel Suckling, the youngest classical recording artist signed by Decca Records and first choirgirl to sign a record contract with a major music label. Suckling's debut album was strongly endorsed by Jones, who described it as "breathtaking" and it was released on 29 November 2010.Sweeting, Adam, ''The Daily Telegraph'' (17 November 2010)
Isabel the Choirgirl: Angel eyes the Christmas No 1
/ref>''BBC News'' (14 September 2010)
York choirgirl Isabel Suckling lands record deal
/ref>Lechmere, Adam, ''Decanter.com'' (26 November 2010)
Isabel Suckling: international wine trade 'follows' historic record deal
/ref>

In 2011, Jones hosted the television and DVD series, ''Classical Destinations III, Aled Jones' Ultimate Travel Guide to Classical Music'' which was filmed on his travels in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and Australia.

On 9 November 2018, Jones released ''In Harmony'', a collaboration album with English tenor Russell Watson. They followed on 1 November 2019 with ''Back in Harmony'', which debuted at number 1 on the UK Classical Albums chart.

On 4 November 2022, Jones and Watson released the album ''Christmas with Aled and Russell''. The album debuted at number 1 on the Classical Artists Albums Chart and number 14 on the main albums chart. The album was preceded by two singles; the first, " A Spaceman Came Travelling", was released on 21 October 2022. The second single, "O Holy Night", was released on 4 November 2022. The duo toured the UK in November and December 2022.

Broadcasting

Radio

Jones is a presenter on Classic FM. In 2006 he joined the BBC, taking over from Don Maclean on ''Good Morning Sunday'' on BBC Radio 2. He was also a presenter of '' Friday Night is Music Night'', and has also been a regular stand-in presenter for Sarah Kennedy and Ken Bruce on Radio 2, until he left Radio 2 in 2012. Jones also presents programmes for BBC Radio 3, such as ''Choir of the Year'' and ''Young Chorister of the Year'' and ''The Choir'' until he left Radio 3 in 2013. On 4 February 2013 it was announced that Jones had returned to Classic FM to present a new show from 9:00–12:00 on Sundays, starting on 3 March of the same year. From March 2016, his breakfast show was moved down to two hours, to 7:00–10:00 (but staying on Sundays). His show reaches over a million listeners, which is a record number for weekend breakfast listenership, alongside the Saturday show at the same slot with Alan Titchmarsh.

Television

As a teenager Jones presented ''Chatterbox'', a children's chat show made by HTV for ITV, in 1988.

Jones' appearance as a contestant on ''Strictly Come Dancing'' in 2004 brought him to the attention of a wider audience, leading to further tours and albums. It also led to increasing demands on him as a broadcaster.

Jones is one of the main presenters of BBC One's ''Songs of Praise''. In 2003, he was the subject of the final episode of '' This Is Your Life'' when he was surprised by Michael Aspel while presenting ''Songs of Praise'' at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He has also presented the annual "Big Sing", the 50th Anniversary edition from Alexandra Palace in 2011, and the 60th Anniversary edition from Westminster Abbey (3/10/21). Since 2009, Jones has presented editions of '' Escape to the Country'' for the BBC. He was also a presenter on '' Cash in the Attic'' between 2010 and 2012. In October 2011, he appeared as a guest presenter on ''The One Show''. In 2012, Jones hosted the Australian TV series ''Classical Destinations III, Aled Jones' Ultimate Travel Guide to Classical Music''.

On 4 May 2012, Jones was confirmed as the new presenter of the ITV Breakfast programme '' Daybreak'' with Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway, replacing Adrian Chiles. On 3 March 2014, it was announced that '' Daybreak'' was to be replaced by a new breakfast programme called '' Good Morning Britain'', which Jones would not be a part of. His last episode aired on 25 April 2014. The following day, Jones began hosting ''Weekend'', broadcast every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:30am.

Since 2012, Jones has presented the annual ''Christmas Carols on ITV'' programme, which airs late on Christmas Eve. In 2015, he was a regular reporter for '' Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two'', broadcast on BBC Two.

Since February 2016, Jones has co-presented the daily magazine show '' Too Much TV'', for BBC Two.

Since 2016, Jones has presented ''Going Back Giving Back'', a daytime programme for BBC One.

Jones has been on the judging panel for the Pride of Britain awards twice.

In 2022, Jones appeared on the third series of '' The Masked Singer'' as "Traffic Cone".

BBC suspension

In November 2017, Jones was being investigated by the BBC following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. In the interim, he had agreed to withdraw from programmes. It was subsequently confirmed in January 2018 that the BBC had lifted the suspension and that he would resume presenting programmes.

Awards and honours

On 28 October 2009, Jones was presented with a BASCA Gold Badge Award in recognition of his unique contribution to music.

Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to music and broadcasting and for charitable services. He collected his award on 17 October 2013.

On 14 February 2014, Jones was nominated as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music; he was presented with the fellowship on 3 July 2014.

Discography

Studio and live albums

Charted compilation albums

Charted singles

Talking books

*''The Story of Classical Music'' (2004)
*''Famous Composers'' (2005)
*''The Story of Jesus'' (2006)

Videos

*''Aled Jones – New Born King – A Festival Of Carols From London's Westminster Cathedral '' (1992)
*''Voices From The Holy Land'' (1985)
*''Aled Jones – Carols For Christmas''

DVDs

*''The Little Prince'' featuring Aled Jones (2004)
*''The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Carols for Christmas '' (2004)
*''Aled Jones – Christmas Carols'' (2008)

Filmography

;Television

;Film

References

External links

Aled Jones on Classic FM
(Classic FM)
''Songs of Praise''
(BBC One)
*
On Play it Again

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Aled
1970 births
Living people
20th-century Welsh male singers
21st-century Welsh male singers
Alumni of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music
BBC Radio 2 presenters
BBC Radio 3 presenters
BBC Radio Wales presenters
Boy sopranos
British performers of Christian music
Classical music radio presenters
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Opera crossover singers
People educated at Ysgol David Hughes
People from Anglesey
Welsh Anglicans
Welsh child singers
Welsh-language singers
Welsh male stage actors
Welsh radio DJs
Welsh radio presenters
Welsh television presenters
Welsh tenors