Who is Gareth Malone? All you need to know about the famous choirmaster

Gareth Malone first came bounding onto our screens in 2006, with an infectious enthusiasm and determination to bring a love of choral singing to us all. Here's what you need to know about the famous British choirmaster

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Published: April 16, 2023 at 3:48 pm

He'll be conducting the Coronation Choir at the Coronation Concert on Sunday 7 May. You may also have seen him in Sing for the King, the BBC TV programme (shown on Friday 5 May) documenting rehearsals for the big gig.

So just who is Gareth Malone and how has he become perhaps the UK's best known choirmaster?

Who is Gareth Malone?

Gareth Malone is a one of the UK's most famous and likeable choirmasters. You will probably recognise him from his television programme The Choir, which shows him teaching singing to those who have never sung before.

There have been four series of The Choir in total, including the series that created The Military Wives and the 2019 special Gareth Malone's Christmas Concert, where he enlisted the help of staff and patients at Watford General Hospital.

In 2016, the series followed Gareth as he formed a choir of wounded ex-armed services personnel who went onto perform at the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, a games inspired and organised by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

He has also been on the BBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are, where he discovered he was not the only famous performer in the family.

How did Gareth Malone became famous?

Gareth Malone came to the public's attention in 2006-2007 when his TV series The Choir first hit our screens. It showed him teaching choral singing to the pupils at Northolt High School, many of whom were new to singing, let alone in a choir. It follows their trials, tribulations and celebrations as they became swept up in Gareth's enthusiasm and expert tutelage.

Gareth was spotted as a potential presenter for the programme by talent scouts when he worked for the LSO St Luke's youth choir and community choir following university.

What's Gareth Malone's next television programme?

His next television programme is Sing For The King: The Search For The Coronation Choir, to air on BBC 1 on 5 May. The documentary follows the ensemble's formation and rehearsals.

Gareth is joined by celebrity coaches Amanda Holden, Motsi Mabuse and actress Rose Ayling-Ellis to prepare the Coronation Choir for the Coronation Concert, which takes place at Windsor Castle on 7 May.

Where did Gareth Malone study music?

Gareth Malone was born into a musical family, his parents met at a local Gilbert and Sullivan society. While Gareth was at Bournemouth School he sung with the Symphony Chorus of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO). After leaving school he studied drama at the University of East Anglia and was in the university choir. After graduation he went on to do a postgraduate vocal studies course at the Royal Academy of Music.

How old is Gareth Malone?

Gareth Malone was born on the 9 November 1975. He is of Irish descent and both his parents were musical.

Who is Gareth Malone's wife?

Gareth Malone is married to Becky Malone, an English teacher.

How many children does Gareth Malone have?

Gareth Malone has three children.

Where does Gareth Malone live?

Gareth lives in North London.

Credit: Getty Images

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