Latest news with #LastChoirStanding

Rhyl Journal
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Only Men Aloud to perform final tour date in Llandudno
The eight-piece group, who have performed at the Royal Variety Performance and the London 2012 Olympics, will perform at Venue Cymru on October 31. This will be the final date of their four-date tour across Wales. The group, who were founded by Tim Rhys-Evans, are now an eight-piece group whose day jobs include pharmacy, teaching, and gardening. They will be performing in Cardiff, Aberystwyth, and Swansea before the finale in Llandudno. Craig Yates, an original member of the group and now creative director of the Aloud Charity, said: "This is a celebration tour. "We've had a wonderful time with OMA, which has really evolved over the last 25 years." The group first performed for BBC Songs of Praise at St David's Cathedral in 2000, but it was their appearance on the 2008 BBC One show Last Choir Standing that brought them national fame. They remain the reigning champions of that talent show. Their success led to a tour of America and supporting Diana Ross at Cardiff Castle. Mr Yates said: "We're all adults now, with the range of family responsibilities which come with that. "We've all got jobs and OMA is a hobby – but what a hobby to have. "We've known each other so long that we can drop very easily back into song as it's tough to get everyone together for rehearsals. "We get on so well and went through so many surreal moments together. "It's only when you stop and take stock that you realise what an amazing time it has been. "There are far too many highlights. "For the final of Last Choir Standing, the film crew visited the hometowns of the finalist choirs and we were all speed boated in to Cardiff Bay. "We kept looking at each other in disbelief. "We also realised then that we had fans, because there was a bit of a crowd waiting to see us." The tour will feature anecdotes from their career, alongside their favourite traditional choral arrangements and upbeat adaptations. Only Boys Aloud will open the tour in Cardiff on Saturday, September 27. Mr Yates said: "It's been amazing and we are thankful that people still really enjoy listening to and seeing us. "It's lovely to be back." Tickets for the tour are on sale now. For more information, visit


North Wales Chronicle
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Only Men Aloud to perform final tour date in Llandudno
The eight-piece group, who have performed at the Royal Variety Performance and the London 2012 Olympics, will perform at Venue Cymru on October 31. This will be the final date of their four-date tour across Wales. The group, who were founded by Tim Rhys-Evans, are now an eight-piece group whose day jobs include pharmacy, teaching, and gardening. They will be performing in Cardiff, Aberystwyth, and Swansea before the finale in Llandudno. Craig Yates, an original member of the group and now creative director of the Aloud Charity, said: "This is a celebration tour. "We've had a wonderful time with OMA, which has really evolved over the last 25 years." The group first performed for BBC Songs of Praise at St David's Cathedral in 2000, but it was their appearance on the 2008 BBC One show Last Choir Standing that brought them national fame. They remain the reigning champions of that talent show. Their success led to a tour of America and supporting Diana Ross at Cardiff Castle. Mr Yates said: "We're all adults now, with the range of family responsibilities which come with that. "We've all got jobs and OMA is a hobby – but what a hobby to have. "We've known each other so long that we can drop very easily back into song as it's tough to get everyone together for rehearsals. "We get on so well and went through so many surreal moments together. "It's only when you stop and take stock that you realise what an amazing time it has been. "There are far too many highlights. "For the final of Last Choir Standing, the film crew visited the hometowns of the finalist choirs and we were all speed boated in to Cardiff Bay. "We kept looking at each other in disbelief. "We also realised then that we had fans, because there was a bit of a crowd waiting to see us." The tour will feature anecdotes from their career, alongside their favourite traditional choral arrangements and upbeat adaptations. Only Boys Aloud will open the tour in Cardiff on Saturday, September 27. Mr Yates said: "It's been amazing and we are thankful that people still really enjoy listening to and seeing us. "It's lovely to be back." Tickets for the tour are on sale now. For more information, visit


BBC News
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Somerset in Pictures: Racing, alpacas, rugby and live music
It has been a busy week for sport fans in Somerset, as Taunton hosted another race and Bath welcomed fans for the Premiership Rugby a cute new furry baby was born and high school students impressed at an open mic are some images that sum up life across the county this week. Starter's orders: On Tuesday it was the turn of Taunton to welcome runners and riders and racegoers for a chilly day watching the favourites and the rest compete. Bird's eye view: The centre of Bath is world-famous, and this Getty photograph taken as Bath took on the Bedford Blues in the Premiership Rugby Cup shows the beautiful surroundings the Recreation Ground sits among. Welcome: Meet the newest member of Peak View Gardens, alpaca baby Brownie. The alpacas are part of the team at the camping site in Lower Weare, and staff there say there may be more babies on the way. Voices in unity: The City of Bath Male Choir is sending 41 of its singers to Alkmaar for a concert. The choir became widely known when it reached the finals of BBC national singing competition "Last Choir Standing" in 2008, reaching the final and performing to a viewing audience of about 13 million. Talented pupuls: The first ever Open Mic Gordano event took place in Portishead, showcasing the talents of Gordano School students. The venue was packed with students, parents and local residents who gathered to enjoy a night of music. VIP guest: The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset came to visit RNAS Yeovilton on Wednesday. The station has long been a key part of Somerset and the highlights the significant role it has within the community, RNAS Yeovilton said. Gratitude: Surgeons at Musgrove Park Hospital have thanked charities for their donations to help buy a specialist operating table for robotic surgery. The Da Vinci robot at the hospital has already meant that surgeons have been able to perform more intricate operations with minimally invasive surgery.