By Adrian Peel

Nearly 40 years on from the defining moment of his career – singing a version of Walking in the Air used in the animated Christmas favourite, The Snowman – Aled Jones remains a regular fixture on our television screens and on the airwaves.

The former choirboy, 51, is currently touring cathedrals and churches around the UK, including the historic Rochester Cathedral.

The Welshman, who has appeared on numerous TV shows such as Songs of Praise and Cash in the Attic, will perform tracks from his 2020 album Blessings. The album features songs from a range of different faiths – Quaker, Christian, Catholic, Muslim and Buddhism – and includes uplifting hymns, texts and scriptures set to music.

“I’m so looking forward to doing what I do best, my first love, and that’s singing,” says the vocal powerhouse. “I haven’t been able to do it publicly for over two years. I did one concert last year and that was it...

“So I’m so looking forward to taking my music back to where it fits, if you like. These cathedrals are amazing and I’ll be singing everything from pop music to classical music to everything inspirational, but also it’s a real fun night – lots of jokes, lots of stories as well.”

Aled, probably the original classical crossover star, having performed for the Pope and the Royal Family and racked up more than 10 million album sales throughout his career, continues: “For the past 18 months, not being able to sing has been hell really but I’ve kept myself busy doing other things. I’ve written my first children’s novel that came out at Christmas, called Bobby Dean Saves Christmas.”

Did writing the books mean Aled didn’t miss singing as much as he thought he might?

“Do you know what, no,” he says, “it’s one of those things. When someone tells you that you can’t do it, you want to do it more, don’t you? And with the singing it’s something I’ve done all my life, so going on stage and performing is as natural as breathing for me.

“I’m really looking forward to doing probably the best concert tour I’ve ever done.”

On undertaking a tour of cathedrals, Aled says: “I’ve done a small cathedral tour in the past – I think it was only 10 concerts, this is 24, so I literally am taking in cathedrals all over the country.”

He will be joined on this tour by classically-trained BRIT nominee soprano Carly Paoli, with whom he will also be duetting.

Born in the UK but with strong Italian roots, Carly has previously sung with José Carreras for the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle, and with Andrea Bocelli.

Aled Jones will perform at Rochester Cathedral on Wednesday, March 16. Tickets start from £33.60 and can be booked online here.