Aled Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aled Jones
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Jones in 2007
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| Born | 29 December 1970 Bangor, Wales
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
| Employer | |
| Television | |
| Spouse(s) |
Claire Fossett
(m. 2001) |
| Children | 2, including Emilia |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Universal Classics & Jazz |
Aled Jones, who was awarded an MBE, was born on December 29, 1970. He is a famous Welsh singer, TV and radio presenter, and actor. When he was a teenager, he became very well-known in 1985. This was because of his song "Walking in the Air", which reached number five on the UK music charts. Since then, he has worked on TV for the BBC and ITV. He has also presented shows on radio for the BBC and Classic FM.
In September 2012, Aled joined ITV Breakfast. He presented Daybreak until 2014. He worked alongside presenters like Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway. For the BBC, he has presented many popular shows. These include Songs of Praise (since 2004), Cash in the Attic (2010–2012), and Escape to the Country (2009–2013). He also presented Going Back Giving Back starting in 2016.
Contents
Aled Jones' Early Life and Singing Career
Growing Up and Discovering His Voice
Aled Jones was born in Bangor, Wales, on December 29, 1970. He was the only child of Nest Rowlands, a teacher, and Derek John Jones, a draughtsman. He grew up in a small Welsh-speaking village called Llandegfan on Anglesey. He went to Ysgol David Hughes for secondary school.
When Aled was nine, he joined the choir at Bangor Cathedral. Within two years, he became the main singer. A church member, Hefina Orwig Evans, noticed his amazing voice. She wrote to a record company called Sain, and Aled was signed. In 1982, he won singing competitions at the Urdd Eisteddfod.
Becoming Famous with "Walking in the Air"
Aled became widely famous for his version of "Walking in the Air". This song was from the animated film The Snowman. His recording reached number five on the UK singles chart in 1985. It's often thought he sang the song in the 1982 film, but that was actually sung by Peter Auty.
In June 1985, the BBC made a documentary about Aled called The Treble. He also sang on the soundtrack for Santa Claus: The Movie in 1985. That same year, he worked with Mike Oldfield on his song "Pictures in the Dark". In 1986, he sang the theme song for the film A Winter Story. This song reached number 51 in the UK charts.
Aled's singing career as a child star paused in the late 1980s. By then, he had performed for important people like Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II. He also sang for King Charles III (then Prince Charles) and Diana, Princess of Wales. He even sang at the wedding of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates in 1986. Aled was the first artist to have two classical albums in the pop music charts at the same time. He also worked with famous composer Leonard Bernstein.
His first book about his life, Walking on Air, was published in 1986.
Aled Jones' Adult Career
Acting and Music
In September 1990, Aled started acting at the Royal Theatre (Northampton). He played Huw Morgan in a play called How Green Was My Valley.
Aled then studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After this, he started his adult singing career. He often sang religious and inspiring songs. In 1995, he played the main role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. From 1996 to 1997, he acted in a play based on Charles Dickens's Hard Times.
Aled released his autobiography, Aled: The Autobiography, in 2005. He released an updated version, Aled Jones: My Story, in 2013.
His first album as a baritone singer, Aled, came out in Australia in 2003. He has toured Australia five times since then, performing in many cities. He also released two songs with Terry Wogan to help the Children in Need charity.
From July to August 2008, Aled played Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Cardiff. He also played Bob Wallace in the musical White Christmas several times. This included performances in Plymouth, Salford Quays, Southampton, Dublin, and Liverpool. In November 2014, he performed the role in London's West End for the first time.
Aled has also written books about hymns and carols. His book Aled's Forty Favourite Hymns came out in 2009. Favourite Christmas Carols was published in 2010, along with his CD Aled's Christmas Gift.
In 2010, Aled filled in as a presenter for the early morning show on BBC Radio 2. He also helped Isabel Suckling, a young choirgirl, record her first album.
In 2011, Aled hosted a TV series called Classical Destinations III. This show explored classical music around the world. In 2018, he released In Harmony with Russell Watson. They released another album, Back in Harmony, in 2019, which was number 1 on the UK Classical Albums chart. In 2022, they released Christmas with Aled and Russell, which also did very well.
Aled Jones' Broadcasting Career
Radio Shows
Aled Jones is a popular presenter on Classic FM. In 2006, he joined the BBC to present Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2. He also presented Friday Night is Music Night and filled in for other presenters. He left Radio 2 in 2012. Aled also presented shows for BBC Radio 3, like Choir of the Year.
In 2013, Aled returned to Classic FM. He started presenting a new show on Sundays. His show is very popular, reaching over a million listeners.
Television Shows
As a teenager, Aled presented Chatterbox, a children's chat show on ITV in 1988.
In 2004, Aled was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. This made him even more famous and led to more TV and radio work.
Aled is one of the main presenters of BBC One's Songs of Praise. In 2003, he was surprised on the show This Is Your Life. He has also presented special anniversary editions of Songs of Praise. Since 2009, Aled has presented Escape to the Country for the BBC. He also presented Cash in the Attic from 2010 to 2012. In 2011, he was a guest presenter on The One Show.
In 2012, Aled became a new presenter for the ITV breakfast show Daybreak. He worked with Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway. His last episode was in April 2014. The next day, he started hosting Weekend, which airs on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Since 2012, Aled has presented the annual Christmas Carols on ITV show. In 2015, he was a reporter for Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. From 2016, he co-presented Too Much TV for BBC Two. He also presents Going Back Giving Back for BBC One.
Aled has been a judge for the Pride of Britain awards twice. In 2022, he appeared on The Masked Singer as "Traffic Cone".
Awards and Recognition
On October 28, 2009, Aled Jones received a BASCA Gold Badge Award. This award recognized his special contribution to music.
He was also appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013. This was for his services to music, broadcasting, and charity work. He received his award on October 17, 2013.
In 2014, Aled was named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music. This is a very special honor.
Images for kids
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Aled Jones in 2007
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Aled Jones at a book signing in 2006
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Aled Jones (left) with Jennie Bond during filming for Cash in the Attic in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Aled Jones para niños
