It can't get any better than this! (From Daily Echo)

It can't get any better than this!

12:34pm Friday 11th November 2011 in Stage Interviews By Lorelei Reddin, Entertainments Editor

Do you spend your life feeling like it’s Christmas all year round?

“I really do. Last year I was recording my Christmas album in June and July, singing In The Bleak Midwinter when it’s 30 degrees outside. And this year it’s been getting ready for this show and talking about festive things for months. But do you know what, I really don’t mind being associated with Christmas. It’s such a great, happy time of year and there are definitely worse things to be known for! I’m lucky to get the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful occasion — and it’s only round the corner!”

You must be a fan of Bob Wallace (his White Christmas character) to return to play him once again?

“Oh yes, not like that womanising philanderer (he jokingly shouts and points at co-star Adam Cooper, who stars as the Casanova Phil Davis). Bob’s a nice guy and he lets me sing some fantastic pieces of music.”

What’s so special about the show?

“It’s a feel good show with some of the best music ever written in musical theatre. It’s just beautiful with a full orchestra in the pit and you just think it can’t get any better than this.”

How are you getting on with the tap dancing? We’ve seen a little on Strictly but it’s not the thing you’re best known for… “Oh dear. I have to dance with him (international dance star Cooper) and he’s utterly brilliant.

I did Strictly, but that was nothing like being on stage for hours in this at The Lowry. When I came off stage, I was literally gasping for breath. I did get better and better though. I loved doing Strictly as well, you really have to give it everything you’ve got.”

Would you ever do another reality TV show?

“I’ve been offered the jungle since the second series but eating bugs has never really appealed! I don’t know what will happen in future, but I wouldn’t have thought so.

The only reason I did Strictly was because I really couldn’t dance and I’d never been able to dance. I didn’t even dance on my wedding day. There was a fear factor and a skill to learn, that’s why. I thought it would be a good thing to be able to do and even though I was about to release an album, I thought I’m going to learn something new here.

“It was incredible, but it was so hard. In the first series of Strictly, they did three hours a week rehearsals, but something happened in our series. We really wanted to do more work and there were three or four of us doing eight or more hours a week.”

Singing, acting, presenting on TV and radio. Which of the many strings to your bow gives you the most pleasure?

“I’m not scared of hard work, but I’m so lucky that they’re all pretty good!

Singing I guess as I have been doing it all my life. But I really love the radio stuff now — the immediacy of it. At the push of a button you can talk to listeners through all sorts of mediums. I really enjoy the interaction. I’m also looking forward to my tour so I’ll be learning the pieces of music between now and then. This album’s more inspirational and there will be four of us playing music from it on stage.”

Do you still get nervous?

“I’m apprehensive before most things, but not so much the radio now as I’m in control of that.

The first night of a tour I’ll be nervous and the first night of White Christmas I’ll be really nervous. I’m on stage and singing a lot. But I’ve learnt to cope if I forget something.”

Has today’s success — from choir boy to celebrated all rounder — surprised you?

“Yes, because there were a few years when I did nothing but watch This Morning on the sofa.

I think I was in the right place at the right time to make a bit of a comeback and I’ve so enjoyed these last four years. When you start out at 12-years-old you don’t necessarily expect to still be going, especially after my voice broke.

But I think it’s because I have learned the craft properly.”

What’s the secret of your enduring success?

“Probably because I don’t do this for success, I do it because I enjoy it.

Also if you don’t prepare properly, it won’t work. You can’t get despondent about that. I’m lucky I get to do lots of great things — like watching Arsenal!”

What other projects are you involved in?

“I’ll be seeing the world for my next project! I’ll be doing The Danube, The Rhine, Australia, all sorts of places as part of a new show called Classical Destinations.

I have some interviews for Radio 2, my album, the tour and over Christmas I’ll be at Festival Hall and back at Alexandra Palace after the Songs of Praise 50th birthday celebrations.”

l Aled appears in White Christmas at The Mayflower, which opens tonight and runs until Saturday November 26.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk.