Whitchurch singer celebrates TV success

Joe Belham, 24, was one of six-man vocal harmony group the Sons of Pitches that won Gareth Malone's BBC2 show The Naked Choir contest.

The series, fronted by celebrity choirmaster Gareth Malone, set out to find the most talented acapella choirs across the country, setting them a series of competitive tasks.

And after five weeksthe Sons of Pitches won the competition.

Joe, who is from Prees near Whitchurch, said he was thrilled to win the title of the UK's best amateur acapella group.

The former Adams Grammar School pupil said: "We haven't had much luck with competitions up until now. We've entered quite a few but never won. To be declared the best in the land by Gareth Malone is just surreal and fantastic.

"We didn't have any expectations. Every week we just happened to get through that round, then suddenly we were in the final. It was a crazy experience.

"An awful lot of hard work went into it though. We were rehearsing, writing musical arrangements and learning choreography for up to six hours a day.

"We were really pushed to the limit. We are grateful to Gareth for spotting our potential and making us focus on our vocals rather than being 'eager puppies', always out to entertain."

The Sons of Pitches won in a very close battle with Scottish group Choral Stimulation.

They sang a medley of three songs – Toxic by Britney Spears, Annie's Song by John Denver chosen for them by Choral Stimulation, and their choice of Waiting All Night by Rudimental.

Joe watched the final episode with friends and family at a theatre in the University of Birmingham – where the group met.

His father, Roger, said he was incredibly proud of the group. "It was all very exciting," he said. "I thought the final was very close and was really happy and incredibly proud to find out they had won.

"The group are now leaving their jobs to go full time and have already had lots of offers."