Written by
admin on Monday, September 1st 2008 under
News 
Tonight’s grand final of Last Choir Standing live on BBC One saw Only Men Aloud triumph in the public vote and win the accolade of being the nation’s favourite choir.
In contrast Revelation and Ysgol Glanaethwy failed to secure the votes necessary to be declared the Last Choir Standing.
In the main show the three choirs each performed two songs – one chosen by them and one selected by the judges as one of their favourites from the whole series – in a bid to win over the viewers at home for the public vote.
After performing their songs each of the choirs were given feedback by the expert judging panel – opera superstar Russell Watson, actress and West End star Sharon D Clarke and choral guru Suzi Digby.
The choirs then faced an anxious wait whilst the viewers’ votes were counted. At the end of the main show Revelation in third place was eliminated as the choir who had garnered the least number of votes.
In a tense sing-off, the two remaining choirs went on to perform again in the second show of the evening. Ysgol Glanaethwy performed All That Jazz from Chicago and Only Men Aloud sang All By Myself by Celine Dion - before the public vote crowned Only Men Aloud the Last Choir Standing.
Speaking about Only Men Aloud’s earlier performances the judges’ comments were:
On Cym Rhonnda -
Russell Watson said: “Boys you have made Wales proud”
Sharon D Clarke said: “Great diversity. It was passionate and rousing – a great way to start of the final”
On Don’t Rain On My Parade -
Russell Watson said: “Still magnificent – it was the loudest audience reaction. It had superb voice control - from loud to quiet”
Suzy Digby said: “Great attention to details especially when you are moving around and some of the singing is in five parts. Extraordinary”
On hearing the announcement, Tim Rhys Evans, MD for Only Men Aloud, said: “I’m absolutely elated and very emotional and just grateful to everyone that’s voted for us. We’re the Last Choir Standing!”
The songs performed by the choirs on the show were:
Only Men Aloud
CWM Rhondda (Traditional)
Don’t Rain On My Parade (Judges’ Favourite)
All By Myself (Celine Dion)
Ysgol Glanaethwy
Try A Little Tenderness (The Commitments)
O Fortuna (Judges’ Favourite)
All That Jazz (Chicago)
Revelation
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now (McFadden and Whitehead)
Rule the World (Judges’ Favourite)
Russell Watson & ACM Gospel performed Heaven Help Us All by Stevie Wonder.
The main show was opened with a group performance of all the choirs singing I’m Still Standing.
All three Choirs also performed Never Forget by Take That.
