It’s been 10 years since Paul Potts became the first ever winner of Britain’s Got Talent in front of a record-breaking 12 million viewers, with his jaw-dropping version of ‘Nessun Dorma’. Now, one of the UK’s most popular tenors celebrates the past decade with the release of his most ambitious album to-date, ‘On Stage’ on October 13 – which happens to be Paul’s birthday!
Paul Potts returns with new album 'On Stage' / Credit: Max Dodson
‘On Stage’, Paul’s fifth studio album is a collection of songs that have either inspired or been performed by Paul in leading roles – from Broadway to the West End – during his extraordinary career. To mark the 10-year anniversary of Paul’s performance on BGT, the opera superstar includes a new rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’ as the final track on his new album. Plus, with his current brand partnership with Pot Noodle notching up close to half a million views in less than a week, Paul is proving that he’s still as popular as ever.
Paul spoke exclusively to us here at Female First about his top 5 favourite show songs of all time. Read on to find out exactly what they are and his reasons for loving them…
1. The Impossible Dream
This song in many ways epitomises my life. It was a song suggested to me by my wife’s late grandfather. He always nagged me to sing, saying that I was wasting ‘that voice’ by just working in a shop when I could be using it. He never got to see me perform professionally so when I sing this song I think of him. I first started performing it at charity shows here in the UK. It’s a great song with massive energy.
2. Love Changes Everything
Singing this song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show Aspects of Love when I was 20 was when I first found out that I could have an impact on an audience. After singing the climactic final B-flat (and as usual holding it for as long as I could – nothing has changed here!) I heard the audience buzzing. It’s a great up-tempo song.
3. Send in the Clowns
I watched Dame Judi Dench’s performance of this classic and was devastated. Right after I had dried my tears, I found a backing track on iTunes, transposed it using my audio recording software and recorded a demo. It is definitely a key track on my new album ‘On Stage’ and my first public performance was at a charity concert in South Wales very recently. Tip: if you want to see me doing something new, come to watch my at charity concerts. I often try out new things at them!
4. If I Loved You
This stunning song from Carousel has been a firm favourite on my touring set for a few years now. This is the first time I have sung it with the dialogue and I am yet to perform it in this way live. It’s not quite as famous as the show’s most well-known song. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, but it is still stunning.
5. Nessun Dorma
I don’t think there is any likelihood that this track would not find its way onto this list. I decided to record a new version to celebrate my decade in the industry after my win with the same item on Britain’s Got Talent. It is the ultimate song about determination and victory and is one I have performed thousands of times and will never tire of.
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Paul’s continuing success is an inspiration to generations of fans across the globe, and he says: “I will always appreciate the gift that people have given me through their support over the last 10 years. I feel honoured and grateful to have this time doing what I feel I was born to do. Here’s hoping I’m still doing what I love in another 10 years!”
For more information, visit Paul’s official website at http://www.paulpottsofficial.com and his Twitter account @PaulPottsMusic.
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