Jonathan Ansell | |
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 Ansell in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Mark Ansell |
| Born | (1982-03-10)10 March 1982 (age 43) |
| Origin | Bognor Regis, Sussex, England |
| Genres | Classical,easy listening,operatic pop,vocal |
| Occupation | Tenor singer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Ansell Entertainment |
| Spouse | |
| Website | jonathanansell |
Jonathan Mark Ansell (born 10 March 1982) is an English singer, best known as the hightenor of the vocal groupG4.
Influenced by his mother's tapes ofPavarotti and theThree Tenors, Ansell joined the West Sussex Boys' Choir conducted by Arthur Robson, at the age of eight. He toured extensively with the choir to Florida, Germany, and France, performed in theRoyal Festival Hall and sang many times inArundel Cathedral. Ansell stayed with the choir until his voice broke at the age of 16[1] when he lost the ability to sing treble but after puberty found he had developed a hightenor voice instead.
After a performance ofLove Changes Everything at a choral society concert in Littlehampton, Ansell's local MPHoward Flight, who was in the audience, arranged for him to have a preliminary audition at theGuildhall School of Music and Drama in London.[citation needed] After working with music teacher Martin Elliott, he won a place at the Guildhall two years later.[2]
While at the Guildhall School, Ansell's singing teacher was Adrian Thompson, who has a similar voice to Ansell and he described their lessons as working together. At that time, Ansell's academic studies fell below the standard. Diagnosed asdyslexic, an agreement was reached where he stayed as a pupil.[1]
While at the Guildhall School, Ansell formed the pop-opera boybandG4 with three other studentsMike Christie, Tom Lowe, andBen Thapa. Lowe later resigned as bass, replaced byMatthew Stiff. Their name, G4, stands for Guildhall 4.
G4 were discovered after finishing second on ITV talent showThe X Factor in 2004. G4's self-titled debut album produced byTrevor Horn andBrian Rawling, reached Number One forMother's Day weekend 2005. In total they released 3 albums, sold in excess of 1.5 million albums in the UK, completed 5 sell-out UK tours, sold in excess of 40,000Live at the Royal Albert Hall DVDs (one of the concerts on their first tour) and also released a best-selling autobiographyOur Way.[3]
Ansell turned down the role of Prince Tamino inKenneth Branagh's film ofMozart'sThe Magic Flute to stay with the band and continue recording. On 5 April 2007, G4 announced onGMTV that they were calling it a day at the end of July 2007.
On 17 November 2014, G4 reformed for 'one night only' giving a concert atThe Barbican Centre in London to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of theirX Factor appearance in 2004.[4] Whilst on stage Jonathan announced that due to the response of their 'one night only' concert they would be doing a UK tour in 2015.
Ansell signed with new managementJonathan Shalit in 2007 and secured a £1 million, 5-album deal with Universal Classics and Jazz (UCJ), part ofUniversal Music Group.[citation needed] His first solo album with UCJ,Tenor at the Movies, was released on 18 February 2008.
For five Sunday afternoons from 17 February 2008, Ansell presentedThe Great Movie Composers onClassicFM coinciding with the release of his solo album.
Ansell participated in a celebrity edition ofChannel 4 showCome Dine with Me on 10 April 2008 withMC Harvey,Tamara Beckwith andLynsey de Paul. Ansell came in joint first place with MC Harvey, scoring 21 points.
On 8 May 2008, Ansell's participation inBBC programmeReady Steady Cook againstHayley Westenra was broadcast. In the evening of 8 May 2008, Ansell performedUn Giorno Per Noi with Westenra at theClassical Brits,Royal Albert Hall.
During June 2008, Ansell and England andArsenal strikerKelly Smith won theBritish Lung Foundation's male and female 'Lungs of the Year 2008' award in recognition of the fantastic use they have made of their lungs over the past year.[5]
In a Q&A session with the BBC'sLast Choir Standing website, Ansell gave his views on the benefits of being part of a choir: "People see choirs on stage and predominantly it looks quite square... but off stage that's where all the fun happens – in rehearsals, messing about, lunch breaks, interacting with new people. That, for me, is what choirs are all about – having that fun both on and off stage."[6] Jonathan made a guest appearance onLast Choir Standing (Results Show) on 3 August 2008 performing "Barcelona".[7]
On Sunday, 17 August 2008, Ansell participated in the tribute concertLyrics byDon Black which was held at theLondon Palladium featuring performances of Black's songs by a selection of guest artists. He performed the duetAmigos Para Siempre with Westenra, music byAndrew Lloyd Webber. The evening, hosted byMichael Parkinson, was recorded by BBC Radio 2Friday Night is Music Night and broadcast on Friday, 22 August 2008.[8]
One of the tracks on his second albumForever is "Hearts of England", the2008 Rugby League World Cup song composed byPatrick Hawes and his brother Andrew. He performed it live at the Rugby League CarnegieChallenge Cup Final atWembley Stadium, London on Saturday, 30 August 2008.[9]
For the second weekend running Ansell performed a track from his albumForever live at Wembley, this time to sing the football anthemNessun Dorma atSoccer Aid on Sunday, 7 September while the teams were presented to SirGeoff Hurst.
Before his G4 days, Ansell worked in Jersey with aGilbert and Sullivan operatic society and during September 2008 returned to his roots, taking on the role of Nanki-Poo in theCarl Rosa Opera Company's production ofThe Mikado at both theRichmond Theatre andAlexandra Theatre, Birmingham.[10]
Ansell performed with Westenra atMusic on Fire! at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 2008, organised by the Army Benevolent Fund to raise funds for veterans.[11]
The third series ofThe Alan Titchmarsh Show featured the start of a competition to find asoprano to sing with Ansell in theA Night at the Opera tour.[12] 8 ladies were selected to sing in front of a judging panel ofDavid Grant,Ruthie Henshall and Jonathan Shalit. The 4 successful ladies Rosie Bell,[13] Rosie Havel,[14] Olivia Safe andEsther Dee[15] faced a public vote on 15 September 2008 and Olivia Safe and Rosie Bell won through. They sangLibiamo ne' lieti calici with Ansell, from Verdi'sLa Traviata on 29 September 2008. Olivia Safe won the public vote to appear in the tour ofA Night at the Opera.
A Night at the Opera had its first performance at theCardiffMillennium Centre on 30 October 2008 and toured 18 venues in the UK ending at theLondon Palladium on 23 November 2008.[12] The show co-starredSilvia Colloca, Telman Guzhevsky, Anna-Clare Monk, Toby Stafford Allen and Olivia Safe.[16]
On Saturday, 8 November 2008, Ansell performed "Today Won't Come Again" with Westenra at theFestival of Remembrance at theRoyal Albert Hall and later sangHere's to the Heroes when the returning forces came into the auditorium.
During February 2009, Ansell toured with Westenra inThe Valentines Tour.[17] At the England versus ScotlandSix Nations Rugby Match at Twickenham on 21 March 2009, Ansell sang "God Save the Queen" at Twickenham. During Easter Week, 7 April 2009, Jonathan appeared in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4'sCountdown. Ansell was nominated for theClassical Brits 2009 "Album of the Year" withTenor at the Movies.[18] On Monday 30 November 2009, Ansell launched theThis Morning's Christmas Choir.[19]
In 2010, Ansell made his musical theatre début as The Man in theBill Kenwright touring production ofAndrew Lloyd Webber andJim Steinman'sWhistle Down The Wind. Opening at theLiverpool Empire on 20 January, Ansell performed eight shows a week during the eight-month UK tour.[20] Ansell played Boemer and two other characters in the 2010 National Tour ofLark Rise to Candleford[21] starting at theTheatre Royal Windsor in September 2010.
In April and May 2011, Ansell played the role of the Prince/Beast in a national tour ofBeauty and the Beast.. In June 2011, he toured the UK with the showJonathan Ansell and Friends.[22]
Ansell unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in theAndrew Lloyd Webber production ofJesus Christ Superstar in 2012, as part of ITV'sSuperstar TV talent contest.[23]
In January 2012, Ansell launched a new album project, a mix of pop/rock covers and classics.[24] The AlbumTwo Hearts was released on 14 October 2013.
Ansell teamed up withRhydian Roberts on a 32 date tour of his showLes Musicals[25]in May, June and October. Due to the success of the tour it was announced that the duo would be touring another show of 'Les Musicals' in 2019 as well as releasing an album together viaPledgeMusic. He joined up withJai McDowall to complete another tour, and is touring as of 2022.
Ansell has long been a supporter ofBreast Cancer Care because his father's twin sister, Brenda, died from the condition. He participated in the London Triathlon in 2007, performed at their London Fashion Show and Carols by Candlelight Service as well as donating his winnings from Who Wants to be Millionaire and Come Dine with Me. In April 2009, Ansell was appointed as an Ambassador for the charity Breast Cancer Care.[26]
In October 2008, Ansell and Westenra sold poppies atWaterloo station to supportthe Royal British Legion.[27] On 12 November, Ansell duet "Today Won't Come Again" with Westenra in theAnnual Festival of Remembrance.[28]
Ansell was the benchmark flyer for the WorthingInternational Birdman challenge where contestants attempt mechanically unaided flight off the end ofWorthing Pier. He managed 16.04 metres (52.6 ft), sporting a Mr Incredible-style pink hairdo.[29]
Ansell proposed to formerQuizmania host Debbie King on stage at the end of his final show ofA Night at the Opera at theLondon Palladium on 23 November 2008. The couple married on Sunday 30 August 2009 on the 40th floor of30 St Mary Axe. On 14 May 2010, the couple announced they were expecting their first child.[30] King gave birth at 2 pm on 24 November 2010 to a daughter.[31][non-primary source needed]On 16 September 2014, Jonathan announced on his official Facebook page 'Its a Boy!!!. Confirming the birth of their second child, a son,Dexter Sol Ansell, at 3 pm.[32]
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