A TV star is set to take a big role as a performer during King Charles’ coronation ceremony.
Brits up and down the country are looking forward to the new king’s coronation this weekend.
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Joining the ceremony will be a star of the hit documentary series ‘Up’.
Tony Walker will perform for the King by singing in a choir at Windsor Castle during the ceremony.
Cockney cabbie Tony will stand alongside 300 other choir members, made up from amateur performers from across the country at the King’s Coronation Concert.
These lucky royal fans have been selected and guided by celebrity mentors including, Gareth Malone, Motsi Mabuse, Amanda Holden and Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The aim was to bring together a group of people who will represent the nation’s everyday heroes and modern day Britain.
Tony, a third generation London taxi driver, was chosen after moving Amanda Holden with his eagerness to represent the special relationship between the monarch and taxi industry.
The connection was seen when hundreds of London’s cabbies lined their iconic black vehicles on The Mall in their moving tribute after both Prince Phillip and the Queen’s death.
It has been reported that the late Prince Phillip used to drive a car modelled on a taxi to make unseen trips around London.
In 2014, King Charles rode in the back of a black cab on the way to meet members of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers and described the taxi industry as an “institution” of London, and “one of the great traditions.”
On his excitement on taking part, Tony Said: “After applying and being told we’d made it, my heart was bursting with pride.
“How privileged we are to be part of such a historical event.”
“My mum, Nelly was there at the 1953 coronation with my two brothers and she would be so proud.
“She’d tell me to ‘Grasp it with two hands and appreciate this momentous occasion’.”
The dad-of-three, also described the opportunity as “overwhelming”.
“Mentor Amanda Holden has made us feel so confident. She is so down to earth and gave us lots of energy,” he added.
“Most of all, she gave us the feeling that we belong there.”
Tony has featured on the TV series 7Up since he was just seven-years-old, a documentary that began in 1964.
It has filmed with it’s cast every seven years and aims to show each individual’s journey through life.
Other Brits selected to take part in Sing For The King include Scott, a postie from Morpeth, in the Northumberland.
The dedicated postman was recruited by Gareth Malone, and serves as a lifeline for many pensioners in the area.
“After applying and being told we’d made it, my heart was bursting with pride. How privileged we are to be part of such a historical event.”
Tony Walker
In Cardiff, Motsi scouted a group of refugees from across the globe who join with locals and sing twice a week.
Rose Ayling-Ellis has taken a deaf singing performance group under her wing ahead of the historic event.
The group commit themselves to valuable work translating popular song lyrics into British Sign Language.
Overall, heart-warming singers from 18 different inspiring choirs have been gathered from across the nation.
The newly formed Coronation Choir includes a Northern Irish farming community choir, an LGBTQ+ choir, a Gaelic choir hailing from the Western Isles of Scotland, Hull’s NHS choir, a traditional male voice choir from Caerphilly, the London Fire Brigade singers, and a troupe of RNLI sea shanty singers from Somerset.
The concert will be hosted by actor Hugh Bonneville who is best known for starring in Downton Abbey and the Paddington films.
Speaking about leading the star-studded event, he said: “I’m delighted to be taking part in this unique event, celebrating the best of musical entertainment in honour of His Majesty’s Coronation.
“In true British style, come rain or shine it will be a night to remember.”
This comes as another major British pop star was also confirmed to sing at the King’s Coronation concert.
Paloma Faith will star in a special live performance on Sunday May 7 at Windsor Castle.
Mentor Amanda Holden has made us feel so confident. She is so down to earth and gave us lots of energy.”
Tony Walker
London-born Paloma, whose hits include Only Love Can Hurt Like This, will take part in the free gig alongside Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Take That’s Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
Other huge names include Lionel Richie and iconic American singer Bette Midler will also reportedly make an appearance.
The concert will be screened live by the BBC and include soul pianist Alexis Ffrench and singer Freya Ridings.
Adele, Ed Sheeran, the Spice Girls and Elton John have all declined the offer to perform.
Who are the choirs at King Charles’ coronation?
The Choir of Westminster Abbey
This ensemble of male singers is renowned worldwide as one of the best choirs of its type.
The choir consists of 30 boys who attend Westminister Abbey’s specialist Choir school, and 12 professional adult singers called Lay Vicars.
The Choir is known for its impressive repertoire ranging from Tudor polyphony to 20th-century masterpieces and new commissions.
The Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace
Known to be the oldest continuous musical organisation in the world, this Choir has existed since there have been Christian Kings in England.
The duties of the Choir have remained the same for a thousand years.
Their duties include:
- Singing regular services in the Chapel of the Monarch’s home
- Attending the Monarch at services and other events as commanded
The Chapel Royal Choir is made up of six Gentlemen-in-Ordinary, ten choristers, an organist and Choirmaster and a Sub-Organist.
The young members of the Choir, traditionally known as the Children of the Chapel Royal, audition from as young as seven years old.
They join as probationers and only become full choristers when one of the existing ten leave the Choir.
They will be joined by girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast and from Truro Cathedral Choir.
The Ascension Choir
The members of this gospel Choir were handpicked to perform at King Charles’ Coronation.
Led by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah, they will sing Alleluia (O Sing Praises) as part of a two-part composition commissioned by TV and film composer Debbie Wiseman.
The Ascension Choir will include members of the Kingdom Choir who performed at the wedding of Harry and Meghan.
The Telegraph state that this Choir will be the first gospel Choir to perform in Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of a Monarch.
The Monteverdi Choir
The Monteverdi Choir is a specialist Baroque ensemble performing music from the Renaissance period all the way through to the Classical music of the 20th century.
The Choir is conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, who founded the Choir in 1964.
Sir Gardiner is known to be one of the best conductors in the world and has led the Choir in many critically acclaimed recitals.
Their first performance at Crosby Hall in 1966 grabbed the nation’s attention and within two years, they performed at the BBC Proms for the first time.
The Choir also performed for His Majesty in 2014 and 2017 at Buckingham Palace.
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