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The X Factor's Back! When Classical Meets Reality TV
The X Factor is back, and it's time to say goodbye to your Saturday nights until Christmas! But before the auditions start, we thought we'd trawl the archives and see which classical stars have dabbled in reality TV and talent shows over the years.
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1. Rhydian Roberts
Electric-haired Welsh warbler Rhydian was a complete shock to the X Factor when his polished baritone vocals appeared in 2007. He ended up coming second in the series, but since then he has duetted with Katherine Jenkins, Bryn Terfel and Claire Jones.
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2. Paul Potts
No-one thought that a mobile phone salesmen with dodgy teeth could belt out 'Nessun Dorma' on live television, but Paul Potts did exactly that on Britain's Got Talent. He went on to win the series, get his teeth fixed and perform alongside the likes of Katherine Jenkins and Jose Carreras.
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3. G4
So-called because all four members studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, these four poperatic singers shot to fame when they were runners up on the X Factor in 2004. They since disbanded after internal disagreements, but leave behind three top-selling albums and a surprising operatic version of Radiohead's 'Creep'.
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4. Alex James
We're not biased, honest, but we couldn't get enough of our very own Alex James on Popstar To Opera Star. While he didn't last very long in the competition (he went out in the first week), he can hold his head high for being possibly the only person ever seen playing air guitar to Rossini.
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5. Darius Campbell
While we're on Popstar To Opera Star, we can't leave out Darius Campbell. After his varied appearances in X Factor forerunner Popstars and some success as a recording artist and on the stage, he decided to have a bash at opera instead. Turns out he was quite good - he won the whole show.
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6. Jonathan Ansell
Although he shot to fame as a member of G4, the blonde belter has continued to flourish after the group's demise. Various West End roles, a five-album deal with Universal and performing with Hayley Westenra followed. Just don't mention his latest reality TV foray - he was unceremoniously booted off Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber's quest to find a new lead for Jesus Christ: Superstar.
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7. Il Divo
If anyone needs proof that Simon Cowell knows a thing or two about how to sell records, then look no further than Il Divo. They might not have been formed on reality TV, but Cowell's decision to put them together has led to record sales of over 26 million, crowds of thousands and, yes, the odd X Factor performance as well.
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8. Maestro
Take a bunch of hapless celebrities with varied degrees of musical ability and try to make them conduct a symphony orchestra - what could go wrong? Well, plenty. Our very own Alex James crops up again to give proceedings a rock 'n' roll edge, while the likes of dance guru Goldie and comedian Sue Perkins took up the baton.
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9. Maestro at the Opera
Not content with putting hapless celebs in front of an orchestra, Maestro At The Opera gave them the extra challenge of dealing with a host of operatic divas too. Unsurprisingly, results were mixed, but Craig Revel Horwood (second from left) emerged victorious in May 2012.
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10. Joe McElderry
Ah, little Joe McElderry. After triumphing in The X Factor in 2009 and enjoying some pop success, he followed in Darius Campbell's footsteps and took the plunge in Popstar To Opera Star. McElderry blew away the competition and thrashed Cheryl Baker in the final, becoming the winner in 2011. Since then, he's recorded arias by Verdi, Puccini and, strangely, an Italian version of 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanic.
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11. Myleene Klass
Again, we're not biased, but who can forget how Classic FM's very own Myleene went from music student to popstar to classical crossover star to author and any number of other impressive things? Well, it's all down to Popstars - as part of Hear'Say, Myleene was catapulted to fame and the rest, as they say, is history.
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12. Only Men Aloud
Only Men Aloud! (don't forget the exclamation mark) shot to fame on Last Choir Standing, a competition to find Britain's best choir. They won the competition and have since gone on to tour extensively, release records for Universal and appear at London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Fun talent show fact: ex-Hear'Say member Noel Sullivan was once a member of OMA!.
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13. Only Boys Aloud
After Only Men Aloud! won Last Choir Standing, founding member Tim Rhys-Evans decided to encourage the next generation of male voice talent in Wales with Only Boys Aloud!, who went on to come third in Britain's Got Talent in 2012. Clearly talent shows are the best place to get your fill of Welsh male voice choirs…
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14. Military Wives
On the back of a documentary that followed choirmaster Gareth Malone as he assembled a choir made up of wives and girlfriends of soldiers serving in Afghanistan, a remarkable pop success story was born. Their song, 'Wherever You Are', was Christmas no. 1 in 2011 and their debut album went straight to the top of the charts.
