Aled Jones MBE, a Welsh singer, radio and television presenter chats with Kevin Cooper about touring last year with Russell Watson, his charitable work, writing his latest album and book of blessings together with his forthcoming UK Cathedral tour.

Aled Jones, MBE is a Welsh singer and radio and television presenter. As a teenage chorister, he reached widespread fame during the mid-1980s. Since then he has worked in television for the BBC and ITV, and on radio. He has regularly presented Classic FM and is one of the main presenters of BBC 1’s Songs of Praise.

Having won the Cerdd Dant solo competition for choristers who were aged twelve and under in 1982, he was spotted by a member of the congregation who approached Sain Record Company on his behalf. He then became famous for the cover version of Walking In The Air, the song from Channel 4’s animated film, The Snowman based upon Raymond Briggs’ book. He reached number five in the UK charts with that song in 1985.

By the time that his voice broke aged sixteen, he has already recorded sixteen albums, sold more than six million albums and had sung for Pope John Paul II, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales in a private recital.

Last year he toured the UK with Russell Watson in support of their second studio album, In Harmony Again.

Whilst at home self isolating from the Covid-19 pandemic, and putting the finishing touches to his book and album, he took some time out to have a chat with Kevin Cooper and this is what he had to say.

Aled, good morning how are you today?

I’m good thanks, how are you Kevin?

I’m very well thank you, and before we move on let me firstly thank you for taking the time to speak to me today.

Hey it’s not a problem. Thank you for taking the time to chat to me. It is very much appreciated.

And just how is life treating you at this moment in time?

Life is good thanks; it is just that I’m so busy at the moment but that is always better than the other option of sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring I suppose (laughter). As you know I will be releasing a new album later in the year, maybe around September time to coincide with the tour, and I have to tell you that my good friend and neighbour Howard Goodhall has written a brand-new song for the album. Howard has put to music some Hindu and Buddhist words which are so appropriate for the world we live in now and I have to say that it is sounding brilliant. So, as you can no doubt imagine, there is a lot for me to sort out but there are simply not enough hours in the day (laughter).

I have heard that you are also considering releasing a book at the same time. Is it all finished and ready to go?

(Laughter) who the hell have you been speaking to? Yes, it is more or less finished (laughter). If I am honest with you there are still a few chapter headings that I still have to write but other than that, we are all good to go.

What can you tell me about the content of the book?

Basically, it is a book of blessings; one for everyday of the year. So, the album that will hopefully be released at the same time will also be an album of blessings for both people of faith and people of no faith. I have tried to cover a whole host of religions; there will be a duet on there with Dame Judy Dench who is a Quaker, and she will also be reading a poem for me. So as you can see, it really is an interesting concept of an idea and one that really hasn’t been done before. And let me tell you, I am really excited about it.

Whose idea was it?

Unfortunately, I can’t blame anyone else this time as the original idea came from me really (laughter). Releasing the book and the album at the same time is something that I have wanted to do for quite a while, and I have always felt that the two go hand in hand really. A lot of the music that I will be doing on the forthcoming tour will be music from that album.

How long has it taken you to put it all together?

(Laughter) quite a while; it’s not been a ‘let’s sit down and get this done’ kind of job, it really has been on and off whilst I have been away on my travels. I can remember getting quite a few blessings when I was over in Australia last time; some of them are one-line mantras. I have collected them from all over the world, from Indian blessings to Buddhist to Christian to non-religious; you name it so there will be something for everyone hopefully.

We are going to be talking about your forthcoming cathedral tour, but if I may, can I firstly take you back to last year’s Back In Harmony Tour which you did with Russell Watson?

Yes, of course you can, go for it.

The phrase taking money under false pretences springs to mind as I saw you here in Nottingham and the two of you were having far too much fun to call it working (laughter).

(Laughter) well I have to come clean with you and say that it really was a bit like that. The whole tour really was mad. Neither Russell nor I could ever have imagined that the tour would work so well because on paper it really shouldn’t. Having said that, we both had such a lot of fun with it all. Also, what you have to remember is that it was the first time that either of us had shared the stage with someone else, but it was such a great thing to do; it allowed us to bounce off one another.

I think that I already know the answer, but I will ask you anyway. Did you enjoy being out on the road with Russell?

Yes, I did, it was great fun. Having said that I have to say that the tour itself was intense, we performed twenty-six concerts in a very short space of time. Russell had never done a tour like that before. However, because we had each other together with the friendship of the band, it just flew by.

I have to say that I personally thought that the reaction from the audience was brilliant. Would you agree?

Do you know what, what I loved more than anything was that we were performing a real mix bag of music, songs that I had never performed or sung before. Plus there were songs that Russ had never sung before, but people joined us along the way somehow, it was really good.

Is it something that the two of you will do again?

(Laughter) there you go, asking me those types of questions again. What can I say, possibly (laughter). Russell and I have no concerts together planned for this year but there is always talk of us doing another tour sometime next year so, who knows (laughter).

The chemistry between the two of you instantly comes over the moment you take to the stage.

Yes, it does, and again, it wasn’t something that we had to work at. We never planned what we would say; we simply went along with it. Quite often we would come off the stage saying, “I can’t believe that we have just spoken about that in front of two thousand people” (laughter). That is just how it was (laughter).

Wasn’t it you who walked out onto the stage here in Nottingham with the zipper to your trousers down?

(Laughter) yes, I did, it was me. The thing is that normally neither of us would give the other an inch so when something like that happened it really was game on. So, as you can imagine, there was a lot of that during the tour.

You and Russell have recorded and released two previous albums, In Harmony and Back In Harmony. Will we be seeing a third album sometime this year?

I am sad to say no, simply because this year will be taken up with the release of my solo album and the book. Russell is also releasing a solo album as well so we simply will not have the time to get together. As for next year, who knows really. Russ and I haven’t really sat down and spoke about it yet, in fact I haven’t seen Russ for quite a while now.

Coming right up to date, your forthcoming Cathedral Tour kicks off on Monday September 28^th at The Cathedral And Abbey Church of Saint Alban. Are you looking forward to that?

Yes, I am I really am. I will be performing in twenty-six cathedrals all across Britain, and this will be the biggest tour of this kind that I have ever done. As you most probably know, I am going to be fifty at the end of this year, believe it or not, so for me it was a case of wanting to go back to where it all started. I had done a small cathedral tour before and I have to say that it was just amazing. The acoustics are fantastic, and every cathedral is different. Therefore every concert is different because wherever you walk into impacts upon what you are going to do that night. I really am looking forward to it, and to make it that bit special, my musical director who I always work with is going to fly over from New Zealand to be a part of it with me.

It really is going to be a nice setup. It won’t be a stuffy evening, far from it, there will be some hymns and some uplifting music, but it is also about music that is secular, together with some of the stuff that I have done with Russ on stage as well. The main thing is that there will be quite a lot of laughs as well (laughter). There will also be a few stories from however long I have been doing this now; I really can’t wait to get started.

You mentioned the size of the cathedrals that you will be performing in; does that cause you any specific problems?

No, not at all, it just makes it more exciting. For example, performing somewhere like Liverpool Cathedral, which is absolutely massive, really is such an honour. When I do the sound check I often think to myself ‘goodness me, this is amazing. I really am so lucky to be performing at such a wonderful place like this’. It is always an incredible honour really.

The only criticism from a photographer’s point of view is just how dark a lot of these places can be.

I totally agree with you and know just what you are saying. We haven’t really worked on that yet, but what I will say is that we will be bringing all of our own lights with us, so it really shouldn’t be too bad to be honest with you. What can I say; it will be very atmospheric with lots of candles and stuff like that.

You have now been in the music business for thirty-seven years. Are you still enjoying it?

(Laughter) I must be as I can’t do anything else. This is it really. My boyhood dream of playing football for Arsenal will never ever come to fruition so I suppose that I will just have to carry on doing what I am doing.

You joined Songs of Praise in 2000 and have presented hundreds of programmes since, including the 50th anniversary concert at Alexandra Palace in 2011. Do you have a favourite location where you have presented from?

Bangor, in North Wales will always be dear to my heart simply because that was my very first one. So, for me, it is always nice being back there. For me, the good thing about Songs of Praise is that it takes me to places that I wouldn’t normally go to. I also love presenting from Kew Gardens because it is only just over a mile from where I live but those don’t come about very often (laughter).

I have been looking at all of your charitable work and I was amazed at just how many charities you support. How important is that to you?

It is fabulous what I do, and I think that it is really important that I have been given this opportunity to do what I love. I think that I would be a pretty heartless person if I didn’t give anything back or want to give something back. I choose the charities which I am involved with very carefully. They are mostly small-scale ones, who I feel find it so hard to get a voice so it is important that I provide them with that voice whenever I can. I could definitely do more than I do but I care massively for the charities that I do work with. Sometimes we all need a little reminder of just how fortunate we are.

On the 17^th October 2013 you were appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to music, broadcasting and charitable services. Just how did that make you feel?

Well, what can I say; it truly was a wonderful feeling when they told me. It was fantastic receiving the award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace. I was both delighted and deeply honoured to be recognised. However, I never expected to be honoured for anything I’ve ever done, so I always see this as being a bonus, a truly massive bonus.

You have mentioned that you will be fifty years old later this year; do you have anything special lined-up to celebrate?

Do you know what, I haven’t even thought about it yet (laughter). I think that’s because I am currently trying to block it out (laughter). The thing is with this industry, nothing normally happens until a month or two before the actual event (laughter). I will most probably play a few concerts over the Christmas period, most of which will most probably involve a snowman as well (laughter). Other than that, let’s just wait and see what happens. I am hoping to go away with the family immediately after Christmas which, if it comes off, will be lovely.

Putting you on the spot, what would you say has been the highlight of your career so far?

Oh, my goodness me. Do you know what, that is really hard to answer. To be honest there have been so many highlights during the last thirty odd years. For example, performing for the Prince and Princess of Wales in their living room really was a dream come true. Having the opportunity to record again after my childhood success, and when my second album went to number one in the charts, it was at that moment that I realised that I could be doing this long haul. Thinking about it, the massive highlight for me is being able to do something that I love.

On that note Aled let me once again thank you for taking the time to speak to me today, it’s been wonderful.

Thanks Kevin, it’s been a pleasure as usual. You take care and I will see you up there in Nottingham. Bye for now.

Aled Jones MBE, a Welsh singer, radio and TV presenter chats with Kevin Cooper about his friendship with Russell Watson, how they came to be recording and touring together, their album In Harmony and their forthcoming tour of the UK

Aled Jones MBE, is a Welsh singer and radio and TV presenter, who reached widespread fame in the mid 1980s.

Having won the Cerdd Dant solo competition for choristers who were aged under twelve in 1982, he was spotted by a member of the congregation who approached Sain record company on his behalf. He then became famous for the cover version of Walking In The Air, the song from Channel 4’s animated film The Snowman based upon Raymond Briggs’ book. He reached number five in the UK charts with that song in 1985.

By the time that his voice broke aged 16, he had already recorded sixteen albums, sold more than six million copies and sung for Pope John Paul II, the Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in a private recital.

After studying at The Royal Academy of Music and The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School he went on to take the leading role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in 1995. Since then he has played many roles, particularly as Bob Wallace in White Christmas.

He has regularly presented Classic FM and is one of the main presenters of BBC One’s Songs of Praise.

Last year saw him collaborate with English tenor, Russell Watson, with the release of their joint album, In Harmony. They will be embarking upon their first ever joint UK and Irish tour later this year.

Whilst preparing for the tour he took some time out to have a chat with Kevin Cooper and this is what he had to say.

Good morning Aled how are you?

Hi Kevin I’m good thanks how are you today?

I’m very well thank you and before we move on let me firstly thank you for taking the time to speak to me today.

Not at all, it’s always a pleasure whenever we get the chance to speak to one another.

And just how is life treating you?

Life at the moment is really good thank you. I’m currently working on a few scripts that I have been sent and then I have a few weeks of Classic FM coming up where I will be on the requests show so I am really looking forward to that. After that I will be spending most of my time learning the tour material ready for when I get out on the road with Russell (Watson). So whilst life is good, it is currently very busy (laughter).

Surely you are not trying to tell me that two seasoned professionals such as your good self and Russell have to rehearse (laughter).

(Laughter) if only life were that simple, things would be oh so much simpler. So I’m sorry to disappoint you but in answer to your question; oh yes, of course we do (laughter). The thing is that both Russell and I are used to being front men and neither of us have ever done anything like this before. We have only been onstage together once before and that was when we launched the album, and I have to say that it was such a great experience. We were able to bounce off one another and I have to say that, for me, it felt totally natural. The whole thing has been amazing really.

I have been told that both you and Russell were slightly nervous at the outset worrying as to whether your voices would gel or not, is that correct?

(Laughter) just who the hell have you been speaking to (laughter). Yes, that is absolutely correct. As you rightly say, both Russell and I were both slightly nervous as we didn’t really know if our voices would blend together naturally for the album. In fact we didn’t know until we had finished the album. I can remember being on a bus over in Australia when the tracks got sent over to me, and I was amazed at just how simply our voices blended together. So before we head out on tour we need to get that back up and running. Also you have to remember that we recorded the album last year so we will also have to relearn the repertoire as well.

You mention the album, In Harmony, and I have to say that I think that it is a stunning piece of work.

Thanks Kevin that is really nice to hear, thank you for saying that.

Were you and Russell both happy with the final product?

We were both more than happy. The album is far better than we ever thought that it could be. Neither of us have ever done anything like this before. I had previously recorded a duet with my own boy voice on three previous albums but I had never recorded a duet with anyone else. The fact that Russell comes from an operatic background with the big, big voice that he has got, and the fact that I am more lyrical really, then on paper you really wouldn’t have put us together. But I have to say that in my opinion it really does work a treat.

Whose idea was it to put the two of you together?

To be honest I have to say that it was both of us really. At the time Classic FM were counting down their most successful chart of the last twenty-five years and Russell was up there as the biggest selling male artist so I sent him a rather condescending text saying ‘congratulations’ through gritted teeth (laughter). To that Russell replied ‘we should do something together’ and I said “well it is funny that you should say that, I was thinking exactly that yesterday” (laughter). And then fast forward two months and we were in the studio together (laughter).

Fans of both Russell and yourself loved the album which must have made you feel pretty damn good?

Do you know what; I still have to keep pinching myself about that. The album has recently gone gold status here in the UK and yes, I think we actually surprised quite a few people with the album. What I love more than anything is that people are always commentating on the harmony aspect of the album. It would have been very easy for us to have gone into a studio and record me singing a verse, Russell singing a verse and then both of us singing in unison. However, throughout the album the harmonies are really intricate and exciting so when people take the time to comment about that I love it, I am really pleased.

Just how long have the two of you known each other?

Russell and I have known each other for over twenty years now. The music business really is a small world; you tend to bump into one another backstage at various events all of the time, and on top of that Russell and I were always sending each other texts and we have always got on right from the very first time that we met. So the album simply felt like the most natural thing for the two of us to do. And that is what has been lovely about the whole thing; we are not manufactured, we haven’t been put together by a record company, and we have come up with the idea and the music, so it really is all hands on.

You mention the fact that you and Russell have been friends now for over twenty years. Together with the positive response that you received from Russell regarding the project, have you not kicked yourself and thought ‘why didn’t we do this sooner’?

To be totally honest with you there really is no point is there. These things tend to happen for a reason and I am just glad that we have done it now really. There really is no point in looking back. Russell tours a hell of a lot, in fact it seems like he is always on tour, so the timing for us to get together really had to work, and this time it just did work. We had the idea, we ran with it, and everyone and everything simply dropped into place.

There are fourteen tracks on the finished album, how many did you start out with?

(Laughter) firstly let me say that I am terrible at this. If anybody out there ever needs to record an album, then let me tell you, I could be their ‘go to’ man (laughter). In the old days when I was selecting tracks for a new album I would usually start with around one hundred and twenty tracks (laughter). However, there were not that many tracks to choose from for this album, as time really was against us. Russell made a list of the tracks that he wanted to record, and I made a list of the tracks that I would like to record, and to our surprise there were quite a few of the same tracks on both our lists; things like How Great Thou Art and You Raise Me Up. So it really was an easy process, and three emails later between Russell and I and it was done.

So there were no heated discussions?

(Laughter) no, or at least not any that I am going to tell you about (laughter).

Well I have to say that I currently have three go to tracks, they are; You Raise Me Up, Volare and Where Should This Music Be.

Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you. The Nimrod one, Where Should This Music Be was actually quite a tough one because everyone knows the melody line so well, and I have to tell you that the harmonies really were quite tricky. Sir Karl Jenkins wrote Bright Horizons especially for the album and the harmonies on that song was particularly difficult for me and Russell to learn. I actually sent Sir Karl a text when I was learning the harmonies saying “thanks a bunch for this, it has taken me back to my choirboy days” (laughter). However, having said that I have to say that it was well worth the investment, having one of his original tracks on the album really was amazing.

It was great for me to sing Volare which is something that I wouldn’t normally do. That really was a lot of fun and will most definitely be performed on the forthcoming tour.

Is there one particular track on the album that you are really looking forward to performing live on the tour?

I actually think that every track on the album is great but for some reason I really do like Cinema Paradiso; I absolutely love that song, it really is lovely. At this moment in time I currently love to sing How Great Thou Art, because that too really is a beautiful song and I love singing it.

Looking back, are there any tracks that didn’t make it onto the album which you now feel really should have been on there?

If I had to say yes then maybe something by Howard Lindsay Goodall CBE or something like that. Having said that it was a good experience doing the whole thing so I think that all of the tracks on the album are the ones that we wanted to do, so no, there are no tracks really that I wish that we had put onto the album.

Work commitments permitting, will you and Russell be undertaking a similar project later in the year?

Who knows, at this minute there is a lot of talk about it but other than that there is nothing set in stone as yet.

So at this moment in time you cannot confirm or deny that we will be seeing a battle for the Christmas number one slot between Jones and Watson and Ball and Boe? (Laughter).

(Hysterical laughter) who knows? I have not thought about that one bit but we will see (laughter).

The tour starts in September, are you looking forward to getting out on the road and performing the album live?

Yes I am, more than anything. These for me are really exciting times, so yes I can’t wait.

What format will the show take; will you and Russell be on stage together all night or will you both have solo spots?

For most of the evening Russell and I will be onstage together although having said that I think that both Russell and I will most probably have a short opportunity to sing a few songs of our own. But having said that, we will be on stage together for the majority of the time.

Will you be performing the album in its entirety?

I wouldn’t say that we will be performing the album in its entirety but I do think that we will be performing most of it. At the moment we are toying with the idea of performing a few more duets but I would have to say that we will be performing the majority of the album.

What was the first record that you bought?

That was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

Who did you first see performing live in concert?

I was lucky as a kid because I used to go to all of the rock and pop concerts, and so if my mind serves me correctly it would have been either Simply Red or Spandau Ballet.

What was the last song or piece of music that made you cry?

That would have been anything by Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff because I really am an old romantic.

On that note Aled let me once again thank you for taking the time to speak to me today, it’s been delightful. You take care and I will see you here in Nottingham.

Thanks Kevin, really looking forward to seeing you when Russell and I get up there to Nottingham. Bye for now.

The Last Night Of The Proms featuring Aled Jones, Laura Wright and Only Men Aloud at Clumber Park on Sunday 17^th August 2014

[See image gallery at www.ukmusicreviews.co.uk]

Images and Review By Kevin Cooper

Clumber Park bade farewell to its annual three day festival by hosting The Last Night Of The Proms with guests Aled Jones, Laura Wright and Only Men Aloud who were backed throughout by the magnificent Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Now had the wind been two miles an hour stronger, this concert would have had to be cancelled. For those who fought against the forces of nature but surrendered by going home, they missed a real treat.

With the Orchestra resplendent in white dinner jackets, and being led by the very talented Timothy Redmond on the baton, the audience were warmed up immediately with Gioachino Rossini’s William Tell Overture, followed swiftly by Les Toreadors from the opera Carmen. With flags flying high Aled Jones took to the stage as MC for the night and throughout was amusing and allowed the banter to flow freely.

With the wind fiercely rustling through the trees he introduced the lovely Laura Wright, who appeared on stage in a skimpy red dress. Despite the fact that she must have been freezing, her performance of Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro was jaw droppingly moving.

Next up was an introduction to the Welsh singing group, Only Men Aloud who looked very dapper as they infected fun and humour into their rendition of Figaro from The Barber of Seville.

As the concert continued, there were excellent performances from everyone involved; Only Men Aloud’s serious approach to Puccini’s Nessun Dorma, the Orchestra’s Polonaise and Wright’s Nimrod.

Other highlights included Amigos Para Siempre, Aled Jones’s You Raise Me Up and of course bringing the whole weekend to a close, Elgar’s Land Of Hope And Glory, and Britten’s Jerusalem.

With flags being waved enthusiastically although grimly held onto, this whole performance proved that the British weather will never defeat an audience’s lust for fun, entertainment and really good music. And that is exactly what was delivered.

To read what Aled Jones had to say to Kevin Cooper when he recently caught up with him, go to https://www.ukmusicreviews.co.uk/interviews/interview-aled-jones/

Aled Jones talks to Kevin Cooper about his chair on The Weekend Show, receiving his MBE, that Christmas song and his forthcoming performance with Timothy Redmond at the Last Night Of The Proms at Clumber Park.

Aled Jones MBE is a Welsh singer, best known for his television and radio work with Radio 2. Having joined the ITV Breakfast Show in September 2012, he now hosts his own show called The Weekend Show.

He became famous for the cover version of ‘Walking In The Air’, the song from Channel 4’s 1982 animated film, The Snowman. By the time that his voice broke at the age of 16, he had recorded 16 albums, sold more than 6 million albums and sung for The Pope John Paul II and the Queen.

His theatrical career has led him to roles in Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and White Christmas.

Whilst preparing for his forthcoming appearance at Clumber Park, for The Last Night Of The Proms, he took time out to chat with Kevin Cooper. This is what he had to say:

Hi Aled how are you today?

Hiya Kevin not bad at all thanks.

Firstly let me thank you for taking the time to speak to me.

Hey listen it’s an absolute pleasure.

How is life treating you?

Everything is good; I’m busy with the Weekend Show every Saturday and Sunday morning, and Classic FM Radio. I’m also in the studio at the moment recording a new album, so it’s pretty busy.

On the subject of the Weekend Show, just how comfortable is that metal chair?

(Hysterical laughter) It’s very comfortable. Everyone talks about that metal chair Kevin. Some people even say that it looks like I have got two lobster pots next to me but it’s really comfy actually. I like my chair (laughter).

You are performing at the Last Night of the Proms at Clumber Park, what can we expect?

I am really looking forward to it. I have done a couple of these open air ones this year all ready and luckily the weather has been pretty good so hopefully it will be the same. It will as always be a Last Night of the Proms extravagancer. There will be the big orchestra involved, and I’m singing a couple of songs, stuff like You Raise Me Up as well as all the old favourites; everyone will wave their flags and get drunk (laughter).

I was fortunate enough to cover last year’s event with Russell Watson and I have to say that with the sun setting and the right weather you couldn’t ask to perform in a better place.

I have heard that Kevin. The thing with these events is that everyone comes to them wanting to have a good time and it sort of brings communities together and that’s the whole idea. They simply become part of the atmosphere.

You have got a hard act to follow as Status Quo are kicking the weekend off on the Friday night.

Good on them; I know the boys from Status Quo really well. They tend to do a lot of these open air events but we never ever get together because they are always there the day before me.

Have you worked with the conductor for the evening, Timothy Redmond before?

Yes I have. We have done two open air concerts this season together and he is a really lovely man. He is really easy to get on with and we usually have a bit of banter onstage (laughter). Hopefully it should be a very special evening.

Singing, acting, presenting, which do you prefer?

Well I suppose the one that I have done all of my life is singing so that’s number one but followed very closely by presenting. Those are my main jobs; the presenting keeps me going all through the week, the briefs for the Weekend Show will start coming in on Tuesday so that keeps me really busy. The nice thing about not doing morning TV every day is that these days it does open it up for me to record albums, and also I’m doing a musical at Christmas. I would never have been able to do that before, so that will be eight weeks where I will be on stage for eight shows per week.

You were awarded the MBE in 2013, how did that make you feel?

Old (hysterical laughter) and to be honest with you it was a complete surprise because I never ever thought that I would get anything like that. It was unbelievable going to Buckingham Palace to receive the award and it was Prince Williams first time so the whole day was just unbelievable. It was just so exciting. It felt like I must have been around for a very long time (laughter).

When I mentioned this to Francis Rossi he, like you, said that they must be getting old but he also said that by giving it to two old farts out of Status Quo it keeps the profile raised and that is what the organisers are aiming to do.

Really, oh my goodness (laughter) well all that I can say is that I’m not quite as old as him.

Who has inspired you?

That’s a good question Kevin. I don’t know, lots of people in different walks of life really. There have been lots of people musically of course in teachers in college and stuff like that. Presenting wise I always say Terry Wogan because he’s the best really. I always used to joke when I was on Radio 2 that he was my radio dad because I have known him since I was 11 years old. I have learnt a hell of a lot from him. I even got to sing with the old bugger as well which is always good fun (laughter). So Terry is definitely an inspiration as far as presenting is concerned. I have been lucky enough to meet all of the presenting greats, people like (Michael) Parkinson and people like that so you learn from all of them really.

Which artist would you like to record with?

To be perfectly honest with you Kevin I never make these sorts of plans because if it happens it happens. I never sit down and think that I would like to do a duet with them, so there is no one really who jumps out at me. I tend to just see what happens. There are lots of musicians who I love which is one of the reasons that I really enjoy doing the Weekend Show because lots of the acts that we get on the show haven’t quite broken through yet, people like The Shires. They are amazing singers and amazing musicians. So I will just see what happens as I never sit down and plan that sort of thing.

What single event would you say change your life forever?

I don’t know (hysterical laughter). You know I don’t think that there has been one single event that has changed my life. Bringing up my children of course changed my life but there is two of them so that’s two occasions (laughter). I would have to say that there isn’t one single event that has changed my life. I suppose that my voice breaking definitely changed my life but there we go.

Have you got a single ambition yet to achieve?

To win Wimbledon but I don’t think that it is going to happen (laughter) unfortunately.

I can’t speak to you without mentioning “that” record.

Oh yes, I know the one.

Do you ever tire of hearing it?

No, listen there is no getting away from it. When I was at school and at college people used to take the mickey all of the time or sing it constantly and even now people in the street sometimes burst into “were walking in the air” thinking that it is going to have some massive effect upon me. Now I look back on it like a proud grandfather, but when I was a kid it was pretty tough at school and at college and especially at Christmas time when I would go into the shops and it would be playing, but now I just tend to get my head down and get on with it. There is no escaping it (laughter).

I asked Jimmy Osmond the same question about Long Haired Lover From Liverpool and he simply said that you may as well just embrace it because it’s not going anywhere.

Well exactly Kevin. I saw Jimmy a couple of weeks ago and I totally agree with him that there is no getting away from it. I’m lucky really that it’s a good song; there are a lot of worse songs that I could be associated with so I just get on with it. Even my kids when they were younger, although they know better now, would be walking around Homebase and the song would come on and they would both start giggling and pointing at me (laughter). It’s just one of those things isn’t it, that every Christmas it will be around but how lucky am I that that’s the case really.

But unfortunately Christmas has got longer and longer in the UK and they will probably be playing it from July to December.

(Hysterical laughter) you know that’s right Kevin, you are absolutely right.

What next for Aled Jones?

Well I am going to finish the album. I will be doing the Weekend Show until the end of September when we come off air until the New Year, although I think that there are a couple of Christmas specials that we are doing. I’ve got the musical starting in October which runs until January and then the Weekend Show will be back hopefully in the New Year. I’ve got Classical FM every Sunday morning and Radio Wales every Sunday afternoon, Songs of Praise of course and then I’ve got a tour of the UK in October which runs until March. The tour will be about all of the new music and the album.

Do you have a release date for the new album?

Yes it’s being released the 10^th November. It’s a lot more guitar based and folk music this time around. I have only recorded half of it so far but I have really enjoyed it and its new music as well. There are a couple of songs that people will know of course but a lot of it will be songs that people won’t know, but they are songs that really suit me and I have had a really good time recording them.

Can I just say that from a personal point of view I feel that you have made Songs of Praise your own.   You have settled into that role fantastically.

Oh bless your heart Kevin, thank you. You know that I really enjoy doing it. I don’t do as many as I used to now just because when I had the Daybreak contract it wasn’t possible to do nearly anything else but now maybe I will start doing a few more. The ones that I do are generally once a month and I do really enjoy them. The programmes are made really well and great care is taken over them. So yes I am really lucky to be involved with that.

Good luck with everything that you turn your hand to.

Thanks very much Kevin, it’s been nice to talk to you.

I am photographing the Proms at Clumber Park so I hope that it doesn’t rain.

Me too. I will smile nicely, I promise (Laughter).

Aled, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you very much.

Thanks Kevin, it’s been lovely to talk to you. Bye.