Aled Jones
Singer and broadcaster
Aled Jones was born on 29 December 1970 at St David's Hospital in Bangor, Gwynedd, and grew up in the Welsh-speaking village of Llandegfan on Anglesey (Ynys Môn), where he only began learning English as a second language at school from the age of five. He joined the choir of Bangor Cathedral at nine and quickly became its lead soloist.
His career was transformed in 1985 when, aged fourteen, he recorded 'Walking in the Air', the theme from the animated film 'The Snowman'. The single reached number five in the UK charts and made him a household name as one of Britain's best-known boy trebles, leading to a busy recording and touring career and a bestselling autobiography, 'Walking on Air'.
As his voice matured Jones became a baritone, going on to release more than two dozen albums spanning classical repertoire, hymns and traditional song. He is now equally well known as a broadcaster, presenting shows on Classic FM and appearing regularly on BBC television and radio, remaining one of Wales's most recognisable musical exports.