Aled Jones is a Welsh singer and television personality from Bangor, Wales, who comes from a Christian background and first becomes widely known as a boy soprano. Raised in a Welsh-speaking community in Llandegfan on Anglesey, he is the only child of Nest and Derek Jones. His voice later changes in his teens, after which he steps back from performing for a period to concentrate on school and football.

Early singing career

Jones is best known for his recording of “Walking in the Air”, the song associated with Channel 4’s animated film The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’s book. His version reaches No. 5 in the UK singles chart. The film itself uses a different boy soprano voice, Peter Auty, rather than Jones’s recording.

Training and stage work

After leaving school, Jones studies at the Royal Academy of Music and then at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He later plays the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in Blackpool for a year.

Adult recording career

In 2003, Jones relaunches his voice as an adult with the album Aled, which he regards as his first proper adult record. An earlier album, From The Heart, appears before that release. He then issues six further albums: Higher Aled: special edition, The Christmas Album, New Horizons, You Raise Me Up: The Best of Aled Jones, Reason To Believe and Aled’s Christmas Gift. His work is associated with classical crossover, operatic pop and traditional pop.

Broadcasting and television

Jones becomes a regular presenter on Songs of Praise on BBC One, Good Morning Sunday and Friday Night is Music Night on BBC Radio 2, and The Choir on BBC Radio 3. He also presents editions of Escape to the Country and Celebrity Cash in the Attic on BBC television, and works on the third series of Classical Destinations, filming in the UK, Europe and Australia.

Stage appearances

Jones appears in an eight-week run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Wales Millennium Centre as Caractacus Potts. He also performs in White Christmas at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester after a two-week run at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.