‘BOWLED OVER’ BY
Young choristers join sister of missing Manics musician in battle for TV show title
ANGELICUS Celtis and Richey Edwards’ sister have been chosen to perform in the next round of Britain’s Got Talent.
The Llanelli schoolgirls and Rachel Elias, who is part of the Missing People Choir, will now perform in the live semi-finals, which start on Monday.
Both choirs were ecstatic at the news that judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden had chosen them to sing once more.
Angelicus Celtis, who are all aged 12 and over, impressed the judges by singing Nessun Dorma in the penultimate round of live auditions. They were formed less than a year ago by choir legends John and Jean Williams, who had been leading children’s choirs together for more than 50 years.
The choir dedicated their performancem to Mr Williams, who put in all theth hard work to get the choir ready for theth show – despite losing Mrs Williams in a car crash last year.
On being told by the judges of the news that they were through to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent the girlsg became ecstatic and emotional.
The youngest member of Angelicus Celtis, 12 year-old Rebecca Lewis, of Burry Port, said: “I am in tears with excitement and simply can’t believe we a are through to the Live Semi-Finals. Thank you, Mr Williams, for giving us such wonderful opportunities.”
“I am so proud of my choristers,” s said conductor and teacher John Hyw wel Williams. “It’s such a joy to see the choristers walk off stage that little taller in life, in confidence, pride and a sense of achievement.”
“We are totally bowled over by the feedback and attention we’ve received” added chorister Cari Samuel, 14, of Llanelli.
“We’re just doing what we love doing – singing!”
The choristers, who plan to share their prize money with various charities if they y win, , hope pe that audiences will vote for them on Thursday.
“To win Britain’s Got Talent would be such a beautiful reflection on the lifelong commitment of Mr and Mrs John Hywel Williams, who together have dedicated over 100 years of service in teaching and nurturing over 8,000 choristers and pupils,” said senior chorister Hannah Seward.
During their first audition, Missing People Choir brought the judges to tears with their performance of I Miss You, written to raise awareness of loved ones, some of whom have been missing for years.
Rachel Elias, the sister of missing Manic Street Preachers member Richey Edwards, is among the choir members.
The group, led by the Missing People charity, also includes the father of chef Claudia Lawrence; and Peter Boxell and Denise Horvath-Allan, whose children have both been missing for 28 years.
I Miss You was a song penned by Boxell, which also includes lyrics written by schoolgirl Alice Gross, who was murdered in 2014 aged 14.
Kate McCann, the mother of Madeline McCann, is an ambassador for the charity.
Families involved with the charity were said to be “delighted” by the choir reaching the semi-final.
If victorious, they plan to use the competition’s £250,000 prize money to try to help reunite people with missing loved ones.
Clare Cook, co-founder of the choir, said: “I know that all of the families are absolutely delighted that we have made it through to the semi-finals.
“The choir have been working nonstop and will put everything into our semi-final performance.
“We are so very grateful for all the support we have received. received.”