Aled Jones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aled Jones MBE
Jones in 2007
Born	(1970-12-29) 29 December 1970 (age 54) Bangor, Wales
Occupation	Singer television and radio presenter actor
Years active	1983–present
Employer	BBC ITV Classic FM
Television	Songs of Praise (since 2004) Cash in the Attic (2010–12) Escape to the Country (2009–13) Daybreak (2012–14) Weekend (2014–17) Too Much TV (2016) Going Back Giving Back (since 2016)
Spouse(s)	Claire Fossett ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	2, including Emilia
Musical career
Genres	Classical crossover operatic pop (popera) Christian music
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Universal Classics & Jazz

Aled Jones, MBE (born 29 December 1970) is a famous Welsh singer, TV and radio host, and actor. He became well-known in 1985 as a teenage choir singer when his song "Walking in the Air" became a big hit, reaching number 5 in the UK music charts.

Since then, Aled has worked a lot in television with the BBC and ITV. He has also been a popular voice on radio for the BBC and Classic FM. In September 2012, he joined ITV Breakfast to present Daybreak. For the BBC, he has hosted shows like Songs of Praise (since 2004), Cash in the Attic (2010–2012), and Escape to the Country (2009–2013).

Aled Jones's Early Life and Career

Becoming a Star Singer

Aled Jones was born in Bangor, Wales, on December 29, 1970. He grew up in a Welsh-speaking town called Llandegfan on Anglesey. He was the only child of a teacher and a draughtsman.

When he was nine, Aled joined the choir at Bangor Cathedral. Within two years, he became the main solo singer. His amazing high singing voice (called a treble voice) was noticed by someone who wrote to a record company. Soon, Aled signed a music deal. In 1982, he won a Welsh singing competition for kids under 12.

Aled became very famous for his version of "Walking in the Air". This song was from the animated film The Snowman. His recording reached number five in the UK charts in 1985. Many people think he sang the song in the actual 1982 film, but that was sung by another boy, Peter Auty.

In 1985, the BBC made a documentary about Aled called The Treble. He also sang on a song called "Pictures in the Dark" with Mike Oldfield. In 1986, he sang the theme song for the film A Winter Story, which was also quite popular.

Singing for Important People

By the late 1980s, Aled had sung for many important people. These included the Pope and members of the British Royal Family, like Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III (when he was Prince of Wales). He also sang at the wedding of famous people Bob Geldof and Paula Yates in 1986. Aled was the first artist to have two classical music albums in the pop music charts at the same time.

His first book, Walking on Air, was published in 1986.

Aled Jones's Adult Career

Acting and Music

Jones at a book signing in 2006

In 1990, Aled started acting on stage in a play called How Green Was My Valley. He then studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After this, he began his adult singing career, focusing on religious and inspiring songs.

In 1995, he played the main role in the popular musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. He also acted in a touring play based on Charles Dickens's Hard Times from 1996 to 1997.

Aled has written two autobiographies, Aled: The Autobiography (2005) and Aled Jones: My Story (2013). He has also toured Australia many times, performing concerts there.

He released two songs with Terry Wogan to help the Children in Need charity.

Aled has also starred in several musicals. From 2008 to 2010, he played Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He also played Bob Wallace in White Christmas in different cities, including his West End debut in 2014.

In 2010, Aled released a book called Favourite Christmas Carols and a CD called Aled's Christmas Gift.

Recent Music and Mentoring

In 2011, Aled hosted a TV and DVD series called Classical Destinations III, where he explored classical music around the world.

In 2018, Aled released an album called In Harmony with English singer Russell Watson. They released another album together, Back in Harmony, in 2019, which reached number 1 on the UK Classical Albums chart. In 2022, they released a Christmas album together, which also did very well. They toured the UK together in late 2022.

Aled Jones in Broadcasting

Radio Shows

Aled Jones is a popular presenter on Classic FM. He joined the BBC in 2006, hosting 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. He also hosted shows for BBC Radio 3 until 2013.

In 2013, Aled returned to Classic FM to host a new Sunday show. Since 2016, his Sunday breakfast show has been from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. His show is very popular, reaching over a million listeners.

Television Appearances

Jones (left) pictured with Jennie Bond, during filming for Cash in the Attic in 2010

As a teenager, Aled hosted a children's chat show called Chatterbox in 1988.

In 2004, Aled appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. This made him even more famous and led to more TV and music opportunities.

Aled is one of the main presenters of BBC One's Songs of Praise. In 2003, he was featured on the show This Is Your Life. He has also hosted special anniversary editions of Songs of Praise. Since 2009, he has presented episodes of Escape to the Country for the BBC. He also hosted Cash in the Attic from 2010 to 2012.

In 2012, Aled became a new presenter for the ITV Breakfast show Daybreak. He left the show in April 2014. The next day, he started hosting Weekend, which airs on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Since 2012, Aled has hosted the annual Christmas Carols on ITV programme. In 2015, he was a reporter for Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Since 2016, he has co-presented Too Much TV and hosted Going Back Giving Back.

Aled has also been a judge for the Pride of Britain awards. In 2022, he appeared on the TV show The Masked Singer as "Traffic Cone".

Brief Pause from BBC

In November 2017, Aled Jones took a break from his BBC shows. In January 2018, the BBC announced that he would return to presenting his programmes.

Awards and Honours

On October 28, 2009, Aled Jones received a BASCA Gold Badge Award for his special contributions to music.

He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013 for his work in music, broadcasting, and charity. He received this award on October 17, 2013.

In 2014, Aled was named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.

Aled Jones's Music and Other Works

Aled Jones has released many albums throughout his career, both as a boy soprano and as an adult baritone. Many of his albums have been very popular, reaching high positions on the music charts.

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)

Aled Jones's Film and TV Roles

Television

Film

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