5 MINUTES WITH...

Bake Off’s Mel Giedroyc, 48, is going it alone as presenter on Pitch Battle – inspired by the hit movie Pitch Perfect starring Anna Kendrick...

How would you describe Pitch Battle?

First and foremost, it’s a non-brutal competition. There is a £50k prize, which is amazing, but this is about the genuine love of what the groups are doing rather than a “look at me” kind of thing. And you have sung in a choir before, on Gareth Malone’s Children in need single no less...! I can hold a tune, God bless you! The great thing about being in a choir is you don’t have to be Beyoncé to sing in one! You have to be able to listen. It’s all about the blending in. And this is your first solo saturday night project? I’m really looking forward to it, but this show is not about the presenter at all, it’s about the joy music brings. What are the judges like? Gareth has definitely got a Saturday night glitz about him! And Kelis is so down to earth. Does it make you want to sing in a choir again? I’ve got some mates who are in a rock choir near where I live, so I’m going to investigate! I think you can do a lot worse during your week than spend an hour singing. It’s a cure for loneliness, anxiety, stress and some types of depression. Do you hope Pitch Battle will inspire viewers? Yes. I hope it does for choirs and singing what those other shows have done for dance. It’s also great for kids and their self-esteem. Working in a team means it’s not just about you. You’ve been very busy lately – what with Eurovision and Let’s Sing And Dance For Comic Relief. Are you planning a rest? I’ve got the whole summer off. I feel OK because I had a gap between doing this and Let’s Sing And Dance, but I’m also ready for a break!