A choir that came third in Britain’s Got Talent has warned its future is under threat.
Only Boys Aloud reached the finals of the TV talent show in 2012.
The choir is run by a charity and has supported more than 6,500 boys since its launch in 2010.
The Aloud charity says it is facing closure and needs to raise £150,000 for it and its Only Boys Aloud choir to continue.
There are currently over 150 boys, attending 11 choirs across Wales, who are part of Only Boys Aloud.
Former members include Callum Scott Howells, who went on to star in TV dramas It’s A Sin and The Way.
Ex-member turned West End star Tom Hier, who has had leading roles in productions including Miss Saigon, Joseph and Footloose, said people did not realise Only Boys Aloud was run as a charity.
“I joined Only Boys Aloud as it launched. For me, Only Boys Aloud is so much more than a choir,” he said.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’d be doing what I do today if it wasn’t for the confidence and skills I gained in Only Boys Aloud.”
Only Boys Aloud. Pic: Ken McKay/Thames/Shutterstock
‘Heartbreaking decision’
Carys Wynne-Morgan, Aloud’s chief executive, said the charity was struggling “like so many other arts charities”.
“The changing economic and funding climate has hit us hard,” she said.
“Despite the best efforts of a committed and knowledgeable team, we’ve been unable to raise the necessary funds this year for our vital work in communities across Wales.
“As a result, we’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to pause all our regular free activity for young people of secondary school age and reduce our dedicated team to half its size.”
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The money raised will help keep rehearsals going and ensure boys in Wales “keep singing for another generation to come”, the charity said.
If successful in raising funds, the charity hopes to resume the choir’s activities in the autumn.
