Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Aled Jones

Episode Date: May 2, 2022

This week Emily and Ray went for a walk around Green Park with Aled Jones. They chatted about his incredibly early start in show business, what it was like to sing privately for Prince Charles and new children’s book, Bobby Dean and the Golden Egg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh, you've got such a nice look and appreciation from those people, Alan. They probably think I'm Claire Bouldings. Lots of people do. Someone wants that to me. You're like a cross between Princess Diana and Claire Boulding. I thought, wow, okay, I'll take that, I suppose. It must be the hair. This week on Walking the Dog, Raymond and I went for a stroll in London's Green Park with a man who has one of the most celebrated singing voices in the world.

classical music superstar Mr. Alled Jones. Alled is also a TV presenter and radio broadcaster on Classic FM, but most importantly, he adores dogs. And he was overjoyed to spend time with Raymond, as he sadly lost his beautiful Bichon friso a couple of years ago, and I was genuinely welling up when he was talking about it. We had the loveliest time with Allard. He was so warm and funny and charming.

We chatted about his incredibly early start in show business when he was discovered by a member of his local congregation in Wales as a young chorister and the phenomenal career that followed. He told me what it was like getting invited to sing privately for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, hanging out with David Bowie and George Michael when he performed at Bob Geldof's wedding, and how his parents really helped him stay grounded throughout it all. And of course we chatted about the song that changed his entire life, walking in the air, which I imagine he's pretty sick of hearing by now,

but Alid's such a good sport. He even serenaded Raymond with a burst of it. Not me, my dog. None taken, Allard. It was also really touching to see how proud he is of his daughter Amelia, who starred in the Oscar-winning film Coda. And having chatted to him, I can totally see why she comes across

as just so unspoiled and unfazed by all this global attention. Allad has recently ventured into another creative area becoming a children's author. His hero, Bobby Dean, is a nine-year-old, who, of course, has a magical, voice. They're beautifully written and very heartwarming books. So do check out Alid's first book, Bobby Dean saves Christmas, and his latest title, Bobby Dean and the Golden Egg. I really hope you enjoy my walk with Allard as much as I did. I'm going to stop talking now and hand over to the

man himself. Here's Alid and Raymond and me. Come on then, Alid. Did you go on, Alid? I will talk to you like you're my dog. Thanks. Do you want to put me on a leads to you. Allard, come on. What do you think of Raymond? I think Raymond is awesome. We've bonded already. I've been here like five minutes and we've already had a cuddle.

It's going so well. I think Raymond likes me as well, which is more important. But don't you think dog sense, have strong senses about people, don't you think? Oh, 100%. The happiest times I've ever had was with our little cubby who unfortunately passed away just before the first lockdown.

He was a bejeon and the most brilliantly nature dog I've ever met in my life. Fluffy. All right, this is a problem. Yeah, Raymond is not happy that I've mentioned another dog. He's already jealous. Well, the trouble is, you mentioned... Is it a beichon? Yeah, Bijon frieze.

And Bijon, oh, you see, it's the Welsh. You've got this beautiful pronunciation. Pichon fris. You pronounce it like Piaeaseu. You say it beautiful. Yeah, I do everything. The chorus style. Bejean frieze, bejean friezee.

So I think Raymond was jealous because the bejean frieze... Bigeon friezee. Every time you say it, I just have to sing it, do I? The bejean friezee is... Bichon friset is... Is a sensationally good-looking dog? Yes. So is Raymond.

Do you think so? Yeah. Does he malt? Did you hear what that man said? What did he say? He shouted. He looks like an e-wawk. I think he meant the dog, Alex.

Wow, how... He doesn't look like an e-walk. How rude. He might have meant me, Alice. Yeah, or me. Come on. Come on. Oh, he's awesome.

I like the way he bounces when he walks. Where should we go, Alex? Yeah, let's go down here, show you in. We're in the very sort of regal green park. I love it that we met outside the Ritz. Do you know what? I think you're a classy man. I know the head chefler, believe it or not.

John Williams. Yeah, I met him on a cooking. show and we really got on and he and his right-hand chef Deepak I know really well and they're really lovely people so it's really I'm really glad we met there well I should formally introduce you I'm so thrilled to have this man on my podcast I'm with someone with possibly one of the most recognizable and celebrated voices in the world of gosh he's also a TV and radio presenter he's an actor

I like that you're heckling your own answer. Yeah, well, active. Let's, yeah, I'm not sure. And our best selling children's author. Oh wow, thanks. Mr. Aller Jones. Love it to be here with you and Raymond. Oh.

Oh. Hope you've got a bag. Hang on one second. So... You looked them for one second as if you didn't. Why does he do a little double spin before he goes for it? It's a bit weird, isn't it? isn't it? I don't quite understand it. I think, good boy, Roman. That's a funny one.

Yeah, that was a two-coloured one. Wow. And surprisingly long for such a small dog. The worst moment is when they've just had a comfort break. Yeah. And you're holding the comfort break and then you bump into someone you know and you start talking and you want to say, that's not me that smells. I'm just waiting to find a bin. I found out the worst thing that Cubby did for me, my little Bijon, was that we were walking in South West London where I live. And he was walking past this doorway to a house. And he had a runny one on the doorway as the owner was coming out of the house. And the owner literally just stepped over it and just tuttered.

And I was bright red thinking to myself, oh my God, Cubs, how could you do this to me? but you know they have to go don't they I'm so sorry you lost your dog that must have been so sad for you because you adored your dog not just me but my whole family and my son especially he still has a picture of cubby

next to his bed and you know he he particularly took or we all took it really hard I cried I hate to say it but I cried more at the loss of cubby than I did even my grandparents you know it was because he was just the integral part of the family and as I say the most

I'm tearing up the most gorgeous dog ever. And he didn't malt. It's a win-win. I absolutely love becheons. There's one that lives near me called... Like the way I see them is having an independent life.

It's got a flat. It's got a flat in central London. Bachelor. Do you want to hear the weirdest story of how we got Cubby? So basically, I was doing a musical with H from Steps,

who I know really well, Ian Watkins. And he has a bejeon called Dewee, who's still alive, actually. and must be really old now and so we all loved Dewe and so we decided we'd get a bejean and so H came with us

so we drove all the way down to Southampton to pick up this dog and his litter number was 007 and so Cubby is Kyle Gubby which is Hollyhead which is on Anglesy where I live but also Cubby Broccoli 2007 see I overthought the name

and the first thing that Cubby did in the back of the car sitting on H's lap was P on him so that was the snow of a cubby coming into our lives. Come on lovely. I want to go back a bit just to talk about Jones Jr. and dogs and all that sort of stuff. Yeah.

The Alejones origin story. So, your mum and your dad, and she was a teacher. Primary school teacher, dad and engineer in an aluminium smelter. Yeah. And it was just the three of us. And how was that, do you think, being an only child? You don't know any different really, do you? Not really. And actually, in a way, it was.

And actually, in a way, it was a good thing because of all the travelling and stuff I had to do as a kid. And, you know, there was no sibling rivalry or anything like that. So, yeah, and it was, and I had a great group of friends, you know, growing up in North Wales. We had all the freedom, you know, we're in the park now. But, you know, in Wales, this was my life, really. We'd be kicking a football, climbing trees. Yeah, it was a brilliant, free childhood. And did you have any pets when you were growing up?

No, I didn't. Next door had a dog, which would come round to ours all the time. And your grandparents had a Jack Russell? Yeah, they had Jack Russell, yeah, and called Spot. And, yeah, and I loved Spot, like Madden, you know, the highlight was always taking him for a walk at weekends and stuff. But yeah, we never had a pet. I think I had a gerbil once, which didn't last very long. Do you know, I always think only children, this is just my observation, there's a maturity to them.

And I think that sometimes comes with hanging out with adults a lot more. Well, I did that all through my life. lifetime. I wouldn't say I'm very mature, but I'm still massively a kid at heart. But yeah, no, I think that that's really true because, you know, Monday to Friday, I was with like-minded kids, but then Friday, Saturday and Sunday I would be performing or hanging out with adults. So it does make you grow up quite quickly, I suppose. Oh, you've got such a nice look and appreciation from those people, Alan. People really like you, don't they? I didn't even notice? Sorry. Oops. Sorry. Sorry. They probably think I'm Claire Bouldings. Lots of people do. Don't you pee in the park now? Come on, please.

Someone once said to me, you're like a cross between Princess Diana and Claire Boulding. I said, wow, okay, I'll take that, I suppose. It must be the hair. But you were pretty young when you realised you had this gift, because you were sort of two when you would sing a lot, wouldn't you? Yeah, I'd find music in everything. So even the noises that we hear around us now, come on lovely. Yeah, I could find music in hair dryers and running water and things like that.

I would always find a tune in it. And yeah, I always sang. But, you know, I never ever thought that I had a gift or anything. Even when I was making the records and everything, I was just a kid who sang and people seemed to like it. And so that's what I did, you know. But in four years, I did 16 albums, which is mental looking back on it now. That's like four albums a year.

Who does that, you know? And you were singing, it's a lovely story actually, because there was a member of the congregation, wasn't there? Yeah, Havina, yeah. She's gorgeous, well, she was. Hevina Orwig Evans, and she was the one that started the whole thing, really. You know, she wrote to a local record company in Wales, asking them to record my voice, without us knowing.

My more dad or myself. But we got a letter to the post saying, do you want to share an album with a boy soprano in Landaf Cathedral in South Wales? We'll call it, you know, the voices of Wales or whatever. And she said I read the letter that she, I read the letter, I didn't break into a house or anything. It's been shared since. And it was such a beautiful letter. She said, I just think I have nothing to gain from this or something.

She said, I just think it would be such a shame. Yeah. If this boy's extraordinary voice, I'm paraphrasing, I apologise, but you know, wasn't preserved. No, that's exactly what she said. Yeah. And I thought, how incredible. There was no money. There was no financial.

She, what an incredible story. And also, it's not as if she just. rattled it off on an email. It was a handwritten letter back then that she'd gone to the table and actually gone to the bother of writing it. She changed your life on it? Oh, she 100% did.

And she'd get a copy of all the albums before they came out. And she'd love it. So she'd have the kind of the official listen and she'd go, oh yes, I love it. And then the album would come out. But yeah, she was amazing. Absolutely amazing woman.

And as you say, without her, I don't think I'd be... Come on, lovely. Raymond's not keen on that story. Oh look at this dog, Alan. What do you think that is? I'm hopeless with makes. What kind of dogs are these? Mine is a kern.

Cairn. What's the little black one? Wow, I've never seen one. Is that his name as well? Oreo. Okay. Good name too. Lovely dogs. Absolutely.

Bye-bye. I like a poochie, do you? So do I. I love a poochie. So you were, as you say, you were a chorister. weren't you? Yeah, and there was sometimes, because it was Banga Cathedral, okay, which I thought at the time was the biggest cathedral in the world. And actually, it's a tiny, tiny, tiny one compared to Winchester and all these magnificent Ely and places like that. And on a Thursday night service, Havino would very often be the only person in the congregation

at 5 o'clock on a Thursday night. And she was always there, always listening to the music. And, yeah, and, you know, to take it on herself really to write to this record company. But it takes a weird turn as well because that record was on sale in St. Davis Hall in Cardiff. And they don't have a shop. There was just somebody at random selling my record in this place. And a BBC producer from London was there. Bought my record.

And he was doing three programmes from Israel for the BBC one, huge programmes, and asked me to be the soloist. And that's how the whole Britain then got to hear the voice. because the first programme, I never forget the producer ringing my dad up the night before going, we've pressed 4,000 copies of an album of a, you know, vinyl back then. And we don't expect anyone to buy it, but it's just a nice little memento. And the programme went out, was watched by like 17 million, or something ridiculous.

And the same producer rang my dad at the end of the following week saying, it's already sold 250,000 copies. He's number two in the charts behind Bruce Springsteen and born in the USA. And that was it. I was 13. Yeah, that was mad. It was a very intense period almost. And adding to that, this media obsession as well,

with your bloody voice breaking. Yeah. But, you know, I knew it was going to happen. So, you know, it was just towards the end of my boy career when I was, like, sort of approaching 16, where it felt like I was constantly saying, I don't know when it's going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen.

You know, I don't think there'll be, blood, you know. So it was just kind of, by then I was a bit fed up with having to justify why I was still singing boy soprano. You always just came across though, Alad, it's so well adjusted and, like you had your head screwed on. Yeah, I hope I was. And that's down to my mum and dad. Yeah. You know, I often think back now, because I'm 51, which is kind of scary, and think, you know, they were much younger than I am now when they were going through it, you know, and for them to have to give up so much of their life, my dad is painfully shy.

And so, you know, having to go down to London and mix with celebs and stuff like that, that's his idea of utter hell. You know, he just wants to be in the garden or on his sailing boat fishing and stuff. And yeah, so I'm so thankful to them for allowing me the opportunity to do it, but also being there, you know, to hold my hand, I suppose.

Yeah. And obviously with, you know, walking in the air, that things exploded for you. and it became this sort of anthem that was associated with you and it was top of the pops and then you were being invited to go and sing personally for Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Yeah. You're on the train.

I loved that. You're just getting on the train. Standard class. Dad always made me go standard because he said otherwise you'll get big headed. So literally everyone will be looking at me and nudging themselves going, look there's Alice Jones. And I'd have my walkman on listening to Les Mids. back to back and that's how I know every single word of that musical, every part. And they were so lovely to you, weren't there? And they made you feel so at home.

It was amazing. And, you know, my, I never forget Prince Charles what he did. He said, you know, it was my pianist from North Wales and my mum and me sitting in Kensington Palace. Prince Charles walks in, Diana was just finishing off a swim. And Prince Charles says, what can I get you to drink, ladies? And so my pianist just went, you know, oh, water, please. And my Mum didn't know if he meant drink, drink or cup of tea. And so she was like pausing and he went, why don't you join me in a G&T, he said. And so it was just the ice was broken and, yeah, it was an amazing couple of hours. The glass was nearly broken because you spilled water on the floor.

Oh God, yeah, you know too much about it. Yeah, a whole pint of water on their carpet. And Diana was lovely. She just rubbed it in and said, oh, the kids do it all the time. Don't worry. I bet when you left, she said that bloody chorus. Yeah, yeah. Ruin our carpet, Charles.

We'll have to get a new one now. I was so embarrassed. It was such a surreal thing. It was only four years as well, you know. So everyone thinks it was for ages, but it was, yeah, it was four years. Well, it's because you packed all these things. And again, I remember seeing it. It was like, oh, there's Alid singing in front of the Pope and the Queen.

And oh, there's Al. Or the Royal, it's a knockout. God. Can you imagine being in a comprehensive school in North Wales. And they see you wearing a pork pie hat and tights going, The next game, my lord, is... You sung at Bob Geldoz wedding and there's a fabulous picture of you with David Bowie.

Oh, yeah, it's amazing. I love him. So surreal. Yeah. To be honest with you, and this is an awful thing to say, at the time, I was probably more excited about Spandau Ballet. It's not good, is it? Steve Norman, the saxophonist. Oh, I loved him.

He had to tell me to go away after a while because I was just following them constantly. I literally thought I was the newest member of the band and he was like, mate, mate, go on up, go on out, Hang out with people your own age. What he actually meant was, laugh off. But our wedding was, again, Bob, what a lovely man and Paula as well. They included my family and, you know,

mum and dad and I had never been to a wedding like that ever, you know, and you never will again, probably. So, yeah, to be part of it was amazing. I look back and I'm slightly embarrassed about the fact that I was wearing luminous socks, one green and one orange. You know, that was the style at the time, apparently. I never forget Simon Le Bonn coming up to me going, great singing, make great socks as well.

There's a lovely moment, and I think it's interesting when we're talking about how you did seem very grounded. You know, you're constantly interviewed and stuff, and you've done some massive thing and big performance. And you came back and you were sort of a bit overwhelmed and you were crying and sobbing and your parents, I thought that was so key that they dealt with it. said, it's a great experience.

There'll be other great experiences. You know, I can remember to, I don't think I've ever spoken about this, but I can remember being in the back of that yellow cavalier, and it was coming back from Cardiff, and it just slightly snowed. And I just remember that everything just felt like it was on top of me, that, you know, I'd had this amazing experience

that had made me feel so good on stage and singing. Where's Raymond going? Come on, Raymond. Raymond. Come on. Yeah, I just remember just kind of feeling that, you know, will this ever happen again? And I really wanted it to.

And I suppose that's when I appreciated that what I was doing was making me feel good as well, not just other people. Oh, is that? That's poochy. That's poochy again. So that was a real sort of significant moment. And like I say, it seems like you just had such great parenting. Yeah.

And you know what? My mum and dad, they're still my best friends, you know. I was up with them recently. I just did a bit of a TV program in Wales for Channel 4 Wales because I speak Welsh. And it's always great to get home. You know, when I was 18, I again, don't want to offend anyone in Wales, but I couldn't wait to get down to London, to the big city, you know.

And now when I go home, I just feel like, oh, this is just so much better. Really? Yeah, and I just, and I was filming along the Menai Straits. I don't know if you know, at Anglesey, and it's just so beautiful. And I just thought, you know, why am I in London? You know, I love London as well, don't get me wrong, but it just feels like that place is my home, you know, and it's where I'd love to live in the future.

Would you? Yeah, definitely. You stayed locally when you were younger, though, didn't you? I did, up to 18, and then I went to college. And to be honest with you, I had my childhood in the Royal Academy of Music. I was out every night playing football, and all I had to do was learn a few pieces a week, which I could do easily.

It's kind of weird in your situation, because you've had all this fame and success, and you were a store, essentially. And did that feel weird, sort of re-assimulating yourself into student life in a way. It did a little bit in the Royal Academy of Music because every time I had a lesson there'd always be people outside the door listening.

And my adult voice really wasn't doing what my brain was telling it to do because I was there too young. You know, I should have really gone to college and then gone to the Royal Academy of Music probably looking back. But Bristol was the place where I started to learn a craft again, if you like, you know,

and they take you apart and then build you back up again. And I had really some really great friends in Bristol. I remember the first day you sit around in a semicircle and the first person says, oh hi, my name's whatever and my claim to fame is and I was number 15

I think out of 15 and Guy who became my closest friend, one of my closest friends said oh hi I'm Guy and my claim to fame is that I'm sitting next to every granny's favourite and of course everyone laughed and took the Mickey but that broke the ice completely and then that was it then I was just a normal student Did you think oh God I hope I can sing

when my voice develops. I never did, you know, and I think back, I was pretty stupid. I never, I never, I just did sing. You know, there was never that moment where I had that squeaky voice bit where some of my friends were like that all the time. And I was praying that that wouldn't happen

because I thought the press would probably love that. Yeah, so I always sang, and by then I'd done quite a lot of media. I'd done, I don't know, Radio 2 on Christmas mornings and stuff like that, and you'll never guess who's back. A poochie? Poochie! He's having the best life, isn't he?

He's like in Green Park today, having the time of his life. Hi, Pucci. Why is his honours? They're there just sitting on the bench. Do you know what? I like their relaxed parenting style. Yeah, it's good, isn't it? I wish I would be like that.

Oh, is he upsetting you? Sorry. That's what I'm like. It's like Pucci's jumping on kids. He'll be fine. He's eating that berry before. He'll live. And then, and you're in Joseph? Yeah, that was so fortunate that, you know,

can imagine leaving Bristol Vick and going into like the biggest musical in the world at the time. Amazing. And again, though, you know, I would have standing ovations every night, but I still wasn't really enjoying the singing. Well, you know, and what did you think that was? I don't know, I think, again, I was too young.

And everyone thought that my Joseph had impressive six-pack. It was actually ribs. I was so skinny. It was, I wish I was now. God. But you did handle it. You didn't go off the rails and you know it's very common for that to happen. But you know what? It's like off the rails is a weird one because I always think that, you know, I've always just been a normal person, you know, who enjoys probably too many glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. But, you know, I enjoy the life I lead, you know, and I'm so lucky to be able to do the radio and the TV and the singing because, you know, as you say, it could have all sort of ended on my 16th birthday, really.

My mum and dad always joke. There's a plumber in North Wales called Alan Alan, he's got his name written on the van, and my mum and dad said, you know, he's probably earning more than you. You've got quite a lot of leaves on you, Raymond. Alan, Alan, Alan's going to take your leaves off your bottom and other things I never thought I'd say. Now, there's a new podcast.

But I think it's your parents, and I think also very telling to me that, you, the first thing you did, a lot of people in your position, with your level of fame and all the rest of it, would not have humbled themselves and said, I'm going to college. Yeah, I had to do that really, because I think if I hadn't, then my line that I always used, and it actually is something I genuinely do think is that if I get a rubbish review now, at least I'm qualified rubbish. Whereas if I'd just, you know, gone straight into, I don't know, media, who knows what would have happened really. But it's interesting that you say, you know, it's down to my parents, but it's also down to my wife, Claire, as well, because she is the only person that tells it as it is, as far as I'm concerned, you know.

Well, you tell me quickly how you met her. I met her in Blackpool on North Pier. How romantic. And my opening line was, I'm sorry if my breath smells of onion. I was slightly hung over after the first night of Joseph and I'd had a beef and onion sandwich on the way down. Can you imagine? And she sat next to me on a carousel because she was taking a year out. of college and helping them in the South circus.

And she's from a sort of circus. Yeah. Her father sadly passed away when we, just after we got together. But yeah, she was, talk about keep them, treat them mean to keep them keen. She used to make me sit outside Woolworth

and wait for her for about an hour. Can you imagine I was in the biggest show in Blackpool. There'd be a queue of about 30 people asking for my autograph. I'd be bright red and then she'd troll up and she knew I'd been waiting there. So I was like, wow. But yeah, no, she's always. always been, well, she's really, she's an incredibly strong person, but also, you know,

she literally tells it as it is. I did this morning, this week. And she went, you look really fat. You've definitely got to go on a diet. And so I am from Monday. I'm back on it. Do you know what? She's always, she's been my best friend since the moment I met her really. And I get on with her mother-in-law, like house on fire as well. We're quite dysfunctional when we're all together. But I like that, you know. My mom and dad are the same. So what followed was this extraordinary career. You've done a load of TV and you're, turned out you had a real talent for that as well. I enjoy it. You know, I think the problem is with TV is that the more you do, the less singing you do, because there's just not any time. So

when I did daybreak for two years, I hardly did any singing. And I kept thinking to myself, why am I doing this? You know, well, thankfully, Lorraine was next to me and Lorraine Kelly. And she and I are like best mates. And so she, She kept me going through that period, really. And, you know, I always say that if they put out what Lorraine and I were talking during the break, it would have been a much more entertaining programme. She's such a diamond. Yeah, true pro.

I learned such a lot from her. And, you know, there was a time when I was doing Escapes of the Country Cash in the Attic and all that business. And now I think I've got the balance right. I do songs of praise and dip into other shows here there and everywhere. But especially after COVID now, my big priority is to sing more. You've been just touring, doing a... Cathedral's tour. Yeah, which was postponed twice because of COVID.

And honestly, the first night I walked on, and I was clutching the mic stand thinking, I don't know if I remember how to do this. You know, it was really unnerving, actually. And then very emotional. And I think I enjoyed this last tour, probably more than I've ever enjoyed any other tour, just because being out there was, and also singing in cathedrals, you know. And was that linked to the album that you had out blessings? Yeah, yeah.

The book and the album and everything was... Hall of Jones doesn't do things by half. Well, do you know, the blessings thing came out of lockdown, really, you know, the fact that I've always wanted, I've always picked up these little, you know, these little sayings or whatever. And so I compiled it and put it together. There's one for every day of the year. And it's amazing how many people have really enjoyed it and how it's on coffee tables everywhere. And that's what I wanted. And I just kind of bookended every month with my feelings towards that month.

For instance, you know, I hate January. I always have, almost feels that you get to the end of the year, December, and you kind of pat yourself on the back and you've done it. And then, oh, and the little cubby's in there as well. Great drawing done by Jerry, my friend. Yeah, and so, you know, lockdown meant that all my singing went. I think it was something like over 110 concerts went in my diary. It was like a scene from Harry Potter.

It was in my eye, cow, and I just went, everyone disappeared in front of my eyes. And I'm thinking, okay, right? And then with everyone else, lockdown one meant, you drank Sauvignon Blanc earlier and earlier every week. You'd be good. It'd be six o'clock for the first couple of weeks. By the end it was like after lunch, you know. So I thought I need to do something else.

I was doing the radio, Classic FM, all the way through, which was lovely. Having that opportunity to go in to do it in the radio station, it meant that that week, that was my focus, you know what I mean? And so I suddenly thought to myself, the family are going away to Canada. I'll be on my own for about three months and I've always been keen to want to write for kids.

Wow, wow,es. What gorgeous coloured dog? Oh, lovely dog. Amazing. What's he called? When he sees someone, another dog, he just doesn't listen to reason. Well, there you go, fair enough. I'm a bit like that.

What's your dog called? Wilbur. Wilbur, what a great name. Wilbur, aren't you beautiful? He's a bit bigger than you, Raymond. Yeah, he's about 10 times. Looks like a toy. Oh, my goodness.

Oh, look. I thought he just liked me, but he's obviously very fickle. I was like, how gorgeous. I can just see here. Wilbur's absolutely ill with jealousy. Yeah, he's like, what is happening? See you. Nice to meet you.

I like that part of dog walking alley. Do you know what? I've just thought to myself then, I've really missed doing this. Because dogs do get you out, don't they? Yeah. Although I'm not brilliant at the old kind of dog chat as in, you know, oh what's his name or you know where's he come from and stuff like that always a little bit kind of let's go let's go cups you know

whereas my wife will stop and talk for 20 minutes about you know how often he poos and stuff like that I think it's tough for you when you're such a recognisable face I think when you've when you're a high profile figure I guess it is tougher do you know what I've never known any different or I'm not bothered about people stopping me at all ever it's almost worse when they don't when they just whisper you know to one another or If people just chat, I'd never mind at all. My fans are just getting into that you can take photos on your phone, so it's all right.

Somebody came up to me on tour and I had to have a photo taken with her. She was lovely, dear old lady. And she had that original Motorola flip phone. And the camera, there was a camera on it, unbelievably. It made the loudest camera-clicking noise. It was like, you know, for the photo. So, yeah, you were saying, Alan. Oh, yeah, the lockdown.

And I'd always been keen to try and write something for kids because I've written books before but they've been like favourite carols or hymns or whatever. And so I'd done the book with Hodder, the Blessings book, and I gave them my idea. And they put me together with an editor called Dave Gatwood who I got on with instantly. He's an amazing writer, amazing wit, lovely guy.

And the first thing he said to me is, right, I'm not writing a word of this book. been there, done all that in the past. If you want to do this, you're going to do it properly and I'll teach you how to write for kids. And so for six months, we went backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, kind of, I'd write something and he'd say, well, you see, twist that round, do, then gradually I got better and better at doing it.

I'm still nowhere near the finished article, but through him, you know, I've done the two books and now we're working on the third. And also the illustrator, Rosie Brooks, who you should meet, you'd love her. She's drawn Bobby Dean beautifully And again, through the book, she's now a firm friend as well And a lovely person. So, yeah, it's been a great experience.

Bobby Dean saves Christmas is the first one, which I love. Oh, thank you. And it's this character who's, he grows up on a farm. I'm seeing some parallels here. He loves dogs. He does love dogs.

He's got a singing, whenever he sings, amazing things happen. They do. And sometimes not good things. But basically what happens is if he's, nervous or he's scared about something or something's not right. He involuntary, what's the word? Involuntary, yeah, yeah.

Burst into song. Yeah. So that can happen anywhere. And yeah, I don't know where it came from, really. It's... Did you talk to, I mean, obviously, we'll mention your daughter and your son is, he's inherited your gear. Well, he sang when he was a boy. Now he's 17 and 6 foot 2.

So now he's literally welded to his iPad for 99% of waking... life. Do you think he'll sing? He has got a voice. He sings in the car with me occasionally. But, you know, we've never put any pressure on either of our kids. They shouldn't do what they want. I suppose my daughter sings more than anyone in our house. She's constantly got music on and singing along with it. So Bobby Dean saves Christmas was the first. And then the one that's just come out is Easter themed, isn't it? It's chocolate theme, definitely. Cocoa Divine. There's a dog in it called Ruffian. There's a dog called Ruffian.

There's a mouse called Noel, who's my favourite character. I shouldn't say that. And Noel has a pal in the second book, another mouse called Nippy. And then the third one will be out the end of the summer if I get my finger out. Yeah, I didn't want to preach to them at all because who am I to preach? But, you know, for instance, the Bobby Dean and the Golden Egg is all about kind of that together you can achieve things that maybe you can't on your own, you know? and not to also stand up for something that you don't believe in. I kind of burst with pride if anyone says they've even read it.

So, because it's something that, you know, was born out of a pretty rubbish time being away from family. And, you know, my daughter was filming in Canada. And I was here for six months on my own at one point because of COVID and they wouldn't let me back in and stuff like that. Well, we need to chat about that briefly as well, because you're fabulous, both you have two very fabulous children. Yeah, they're great.

your daughter has, I mean, it's extraordinary, isn't it? Yeah, well, the great thing about what she does is that she's such a hard worker. You know, I say, this is Amelia, we should say, who was nominated for, well, her film Coda won. The Oscar, yeah, Best Picture. I know, and she was, bless her heart, nominated for Best Actress in the Bafters, and even sang in the Albert Hall. Like, her first proper public performance was in the Albert Hall. You know, my knees were knocking in the rehearsal.

And she's like, yeah, whatever, I'll go for it. You know, I told her to focus on one thing, you know, if you feel that you're scared. And she looked into the audience and focused on one thing and then thought, why have I just focused on Lady Gaga, move my eye line straight away? And then she moved it, and it was the whole cast of West Side story. She's going, oh my God! As a parent, I can imagine, there is a slight sick feeling of like, is this going to be okay? She was nine years old, and she did Shrek the musical.

and she played Little Princess Fiona, and she had to sing a verse. And I walked into the Drury Lane Theatre and sat down in my seat and said to my wife, no, no, I can't do this. Went to the bar, got a pint of wine and more or less downed it before the show started. And the person next to me was just looking at me, kind of going,

there's something wrong with this guy, I think. But, you know, I just couldn't take the pressure, whereas she's like, whatever, you know. And she's not, she's the first to say she's not a singer, but she's got a lovely voice. And yeah, she's had an amazing career so far. And she's such a lovely person and down to earth and fun. But also, you know, she goes off tomorrow to San Francisco to do a film.

And for the last three weeks, all she's done is prep on this film, not just learning her lines, but, you know, she'll read the novel it's from. She'll research the character, the era, everything. She's got her little notes on her script. And I burst with pride more for that, really, than her being on a red carpet. You're quite like that, though. Yeah, I've always taught her to prepare. Yeah, you've got to, I think.

Like you, you know, you've read everything and stuff. And it just makes a conversation. No, I bet it was. I'm really aware throughout your career that you've always, everything you've done, you've approached in this very methodical, you know, you would say there'd be some conductor saying we might want you to sing this. You won't need to sing the aria. And you'd say, I'll do it anyway.

I don't know why that happened. That was really weird. It was one of my first, well, it was my first professional engagement in St. David's Hall in Cardiff. And it was with St. Evel Mariner and, you know, huge big classical names. And I was only meant, as you say, to do the recitative. And rise, jeb there I can't even remember it. And then there's an area after it called Happy Iifice. Happy Ivis shall thou be.

And I, you know, I was learning it with my teachers. And they said, oh, come on. You might as well learn that as well. when I sang for Sir Neville, the company has just carried on, and so I carried on singing the aria, and then he said, right, we're doing it, we'll put it in tonight in the show.

Yeah, it's funny, all these people you work with, everyone's thought, oh, what was, you know, and they'll mention various sort of Hollywood people, and I just, it was Leonard Bernstein that he loved you. Thank God, and I never forget being in the Barbican with the London Symphony Chorus and Richard Hickox, who's sadly no longer with us, he conducted them. And we're all waiting for Lenny, as they called him, to walk in.

And I was physically shaking with nerves. And this guy walks in with white hair with a big velvet cake, for God's sake, a cape. And I went, nice to meet you. And he put me in a headlock. And he went, I've been wanting to work with you, little kid, for such a long time, and tapped me on the head with his baton. and then proceeded to take me in like a masterclass for over an hour in front of the chorus because he wanted.

He said, I'll never get this song as I want it ever again in my lifetime, so I want it to be perfect. And it was amazing. He was like Harry Potter. When he did that with his baton, you could feel the energy coming out at the end of it. Because I got to know him very well. I'd be sitting there watching him on the podium.

And one time he started frothing. white at the mouth and I thought oh shit he's gonna die and I thought he's gonna die no he was chewing mints and honestly I wanted to be him so badly when I was little that I'd wait to go on because if somebody else was on before me with Leonard Bernstein so I think it was Gideon Crem or a musician and then I'd know my term was coming because Leonard Bernstein's right-hand man would put a towel over his arm light a cigarette in a cigarette holder have it in his mouth and have a massive scotch on the rocks in his other hand so he'd be like this okay this backstage back stage leny would come off stage sweating like mad

grab the towel wipe his face throw it on the floor grab the cigarette whack back the scotch grab my hand and walk on and i'd watch all this going this is amazing yeah that sounds like frank skinner he's got to be your new friend because you like cathedrals he likes cathedrals yeah he does you like doctor who he likes my daughter was in doctor who when she was a kid Yeah, the rings of Akatan. But you know, the lovely thing I like about my daughter is that my wife and I never, ever told anyone about what she did or anything like that. And it's only through Koda and the Oscars that, you know, I remember somebody asking me on a daytime television show, why didn't you talk about her years ago? Because she's been in Locking Key.

I said, there's nothing to do with me, is it? You know, she's doing it in her own right. You know, she doesn't need some fat old Welshman to be saying, oh, she's my daughter. I won't have you talking about Ella Jones, no. Oh, thank you. Alan's MBA, I believe. Oh, whatever. Do you cry?

When did you last cry? I cried. I cried with Coda, Amelia's film, because it's so moving, especially the bit where she holds her, well, her dad holds her throat when she sings because he's deaf. And, yeah, I cried at that. But, yeah, I can get emotional when Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace. What's Alid like when he's crossed? Because I can't, you seem so mellow.

I can't imagine you being crossed. It never lasts with me. What's the point? really. Do you know what? I don't think I've ever been cross at work. If something goes wrong on stage or something like that, you know, you might mention it, but then what's the point dwelling on anything like that? And I've never understood anyone in TV, you hear stories of people shouting at runners and stuff like that. And you think, God Almighty, you know, they're trying their hardest to bring your tea and stuff like that. You know, it's not going down the mine, is it?

You know, it's... Do you think that help? Do you think that being a child and going into those environments and sometimes feeling a bit scared really. Yeah, absolutely. And I think. I'm going to hold him now because he's in only common room. I think sometimes I maybe, you know, I always try and play Jack the Ladd and make people laugh and stuff like that. And I think that's part of who I am and I've always been that person. But to shout at people, I don't get that at all really. And to be cross, yeah, of course, you know, everyone has their moments. But I try not to dwell on those and move on really.

Because, you know, God, life's short, isn't it? And one thing COVID has taught us is to to embrace every bleeding second. Should we sit on this log? Let's sit on the log. Oh, I'm on the log with Allard Jones. There's another podcast. We could have a Christmas log. Aller Jones, you're going to have to hold Raymond.

I will hold Raymond. I'm going to go on the log. Raymond is so light. Right. Aren't you? I can't. You should get Papoose for your dog. Yeah.

You know, you can get them. Plour had one for Cubby because he became blind. Our cubby and he was diabetic. We had to inject him twice a day. And she turned up one day, but with cubby like this. In a papoose, I was like, no, I can't do that, I'm afraid. Oh, somebody's dressed very country.

Is that your Labrador? It is. Lovely. What's the name? Ida. As in Ida Duck. Ida Duck. This is Raymond.

Raymond, yeah. Count of Toulouse. Oh, what a lovely. That's actually not who he's named after. Are you on radio? Yes. About what? Dog walking.

Are you a famous dog walker? I'm not, no, not at all. You're your famous dog walker? No, I'm not, he is. I'm a singer. Yeah, he's a singer. Cantor? Yeah.

What do you sing? Classical stuff. Like the tallies singers? Then I'm not as good as them. My wife goes to the opera, so I go with her. Okay. But I don't really like opera. I like church music much more.

Yeah, me too. Yeah, me too. I'm definitely with you. Requeam is the dog's bollocks. You cannot do better than you. I might get a t-shirt with that written on it. Hide her. Carry up.

Ida. Yeah. I don't, yeah, here, here, here. Over. She went over the log. Oh yes, she does that. Raymond? No, no, no.

What's your name? Alled, Alan Jones. Oh, I could do that, yeah, easy. Easy, maybe not now. Are you Welshman? Yeah. Oh, that's why you can sing. Well, I suppose so.

He's got quite a voice. Nice to see you. Come on. Nice to meet you, William. He was a nice man. He had me at church music. You had walk. in the air sung to you all the time when you were growing up.

Yeah, they had that verse which they'd sing was, My name is Aller Jones, I like to pick my nose, I do, I like to pick my bum, especially with my thumb, ah, ooh. So I had that for like a solid year, every break, you know. At school? Yeah. And there was a time where I used to like really, not hate it, but you know, if it was playing in a big store or something like that and I'd hear the

ding ding ding, ding, ding, I'd be like, I'm out of, I'm out of here. And then I got to know that I'm always sandwiched in between Cliff and Slade. So if one of those tracks came on, I'd exit stage left. But now, you know, I don't mind one bit. I was not a very nice dad. One Christmas, we went away as a family and my daughter was very young and her favourite toy was a snowman toy. And I'm like, I can't let her board the flight with this snowman toy because everyone will think, God, he's pushing it on his kids. And so I hid it. So I said, you don't want to take Snowy with you, you want to take this. She was like, okay.

And I thought, oh no, terrible. I've even had a stewardess sing it over the tannoy system. It must have been her last flight, thinking back, because literally the tannoy came on and she went, I'm walking in the air, and then giggled, and then tanoi went off. And I was like, wow, that's like, that's not caring. You feel like someone who's never, you never sit still.

You're always wanting to learn, aren't you? Yeah, I like a challenge. Like I'm going to write kids books. I'm going to do that, you know, you never think I've mastered everything. Well, I've mastered nothing, really. You know, and but yeah, no, I do like a challenge. You know, I even did strictly because I wanted to learn how to do some dances. And I, you know, I loved the physical aspect of it and the eight hours training a day and stuff.

But the actual show doing it was like the most nerve-wracking thing ever. The mass singer. The mass singer. The mass singer was fun. I had Michael Owen on this podcast last week. Yes, I saw. Yeah. With his daughter.

it. Donut? Yeah. And someone shouted in one of my gigs, they went, you were greatest donut. And I'm like, no, that's like the ex-Liverpool Centre Forward. So I was like who maybe can't sing brilliantly. But yeah, that was, I've never done anything like it in my life. The secrecy of it and NDAs being signed off everywhere. You can't tell anyone, you know, you're wearing a balaclava, a visor, gloves, a hoodie with don't speak to me on it. But you know what? I'll tell you a story now. Again, you're the worst. You get things out of me. But my daughter was doing an event for BAFTA where she had to sing both sides now.

And I'd said, well, I'll come to the sound check with you, but I'll meet you there because I was doing Classic FM. And I walked into the theatre in the hotel where she was singing. And she was up on stage with a guitar, with a guitarist. And I looked and I thought, oh, it's sounding great. And then I thought, holy crap. She'd gone into my wardrobe and she was wearing. wearing the Don't Speak to Me hoodie whilst the show was on. So everyone would have guessed it was me.

So I went to Claire, tell her to close a coat, tell her to close her coat. And so Claire had to go on the stage and literally close her coat. And Amelia's like, what the hell are you doing? I'm mid-song. You know, thankfully no one was in there in the sound check. But my heart just stopped because that would have been it. Oh, you're so cuddly. He really likes you, Alex.

I hope so. I really like him. I kind of miss Pochi Where is he? When you need him? It's been fun. We should go to the Arsenal one day. I would love to go to the Arsenal.

Highlight and my life happened in the old Highbury. Did it? What was that? I can't remember. I think it was a Liverpool match and we were on the North Bank. I used to stand just behind David Seaman's goal up a bit from it. And 9,000 people started singing

Aller Jones, Aller Jones, you're not singing anymore. I was 18 years old and I just thought, This is the greatest thing ever. Will you sing something to Raymond? You'll love this. It's a Christmas favourite. We're walking in the air.

We're floating in the moonlit sky. There you go, Raymond. He's like, that's rubbish. He's lost it. Oh, I'm having a lick. Do you know what I always say? And I say this to, because I'm not religious, but I have a theory that people who have faith,

I think they're not always perfect. They don't always get it right, but there's a desire you're aiming towards something. I don't really think of myself as a very good Christian. Like I don't go to church, for instance, but I love people. And I think that, you know, as long as you, it's like that be kind, isn't it?

Well, everyone should be. You know what I mean? And I think that, but having that kind of background as I had, as a chorus of singing that music, that's what seeped into my soul. And when I am singing the sort of music I do, that's when I feel there is a connection, to something greater and better, really.

But, yeah, I think you're right. It's all about spirituality, I suppose, more than anything, isn't it? How have you felt, walking Raymond? Has it made you slightly hanker after maybe thinking about getting another dog? Yeah, 100%. Yeah, 100%. But it did the other day when we were looking after Little Pippa, the miniature dash and who literally looked at,

looked like a, you know, the things you put on the door, so you stop the draft coming in. Is this your friend's door? Yeah. It's so long. It's, but tiny. And his feet are literally that big. I kid you not, the size of finger. But yeah, I, honestly, there's nothing like a dog walk really, is there?

You know, you see the joy on their faces and it gets you out and about. Yeah. Oh, look how happy he is! Although Raymond is not walking at the moment. He's being carried. Alid, we have so lost. So I've really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for having me on.

It's great. Well, keep in touch as well. Well, I really recommend everyone goes and buys Alids. I mean, I'm an adult and I loved it. We didn't need children, but it's a brilliant children's book. So please buy the book. Thank you. I have loved chatting to you. Raymond has really fallen for you. Well, yeah, we're off now. So, yeah, thanks for having me and thanks for the gift. Say bye. You'll never see her again. I really hope you enjoyed listening to that. And do remember to rate, review and subscribe on iTunes.