Small world. I was in the audience for this at TV Centre . They used to film this at the BBC TV Theatre in Shepherds Bush which was a much bigger venue , used for Wogan as well but Jim'll Fix it got moved to TVC in 1985 I think . If I remember rightly the studio bits were filmed in September 1989 and Jason Donovan and Ralph Bates were also on the show. I remember them taking a while to get the opening shot on the cigar right a few times!
@gotham61 just for the record, the head chorister in this clip is Jeremy Holland-Smith, not Jeremy Budd. However, Jeremy Budd is, as you say, now a well known tenor. I was a chorister at St.Paul's and remember doing this.
@AB1ification My mistake, I guess it's a case of too many head choristers called Jeremy. Cool that you were there. Are you in the procession shown in the video?
I have no idea where notyob (or who he is!) got this from, but it has amused everyone at work anyway. There will be plenty of mileage as Christmas is round the corner! Bit of a shock to see it on the web, but I suppose it's a free world. I can confirm that I was really bricking it at the time - without the nerves, I'd have done a better job. Bit more pleased with the second song though. Cheers for all the nice comments (I'll ignore the others!) James
Yep, it was me. I remember being there for something like 6 or 7 hours practicing and getting lighting sorted. I then only had a single take with the actual choir on oth songs as they were not with us for long. I still cringe at the bum notes even now 18 years on. I have to go out of the room if my mum plays the video at Christmas!
Ahhh... there's no need for that. You should feel proud. At about the time you appeared, I'd often felt like writing in to ask if Jim Could Fix it for Me to play the organ of St Paul's while the choir sang! At least you got on and wrote that letter and got your dream.
PS A kid I knew called James Franklin joined the choir in 1986 or 87, so he'd have been there too. He looked just like the boy on the sofa at the end, but that can't have been him I don't think as he'd still have been pretty junior.
JKH, you have nothing whatever to be ashamed of. When you can look back on this occasion with pride rather than embarrassment, you'll know you've really grown up -- or got old, or something. An ambition to sing in St Paul's is commendable in itself, and you did pretty darn well.
Yet there is one regret. You should have auditioned for the St Paul's choir in 1987 or 1988. You would surely have got in - you had the style and the nerve - and then you would have been one of the professionals!
I'm a former child chorister in an RSCM affiliated parish church choir. From what I remember of the 2 Southern Cathedral Singers we had at one point in our choir was that they were both older than 10. This fellow must have been one of the youngest in the Northern Cathedral Singers.
Apart from the nerves in Once in Royal David's City, he did a great job in the second solo.
It should be remembered that he is 10yrs Old, most soloists for this piece - certainly in the choirs I have directed - have been 12yrs old or up. He does a good job - poor lad must have been petrified.
I am crying but joying how does the sender feeling and his wish to sing at the glorious cathedral was fulfill. I also have a same wish to sing at the cathedral when i was 14 at year 1999 but my wish doesn't came in reality. So Keep it up notyobs and may God bless your journey. Regards from Kuching, Malaysia.
This was the Xmas 1989 edition of the show, filmed in September. I was in the audience. I think it was studio six at TV centre it was filmed at. Jimmy Saville went through our row during warm-up being 'funny' and I remember he smelt of cigars.
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Small world. I was in the audience for this at TV Centre . They used to film this at the BBC TV Theatre in Shepherds Bush which was a much bigger venue , used for Wogan as well but Jim'll Fix it got moved to TVC in 1985 I think . If I remember rightly the studio bits were filmed in September 1989 and Jason Donovan and Ralph Bates were also on the show. I remember them taking a while to get the opening shot on the cigar right a few times!
culttelevision 4 months ago
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culttelevision 4 months ago
Comment removed
culttelevision 4 months ago
The head chorister during the sit down part at the end is Jeremy Budd, now a well known tenor.
gotham61 10 months ago
@gotham61 just for the record, the head chorister in this clip is Jeremy Holland-Smith, not Jeremy Budd. However, Jeremy Budd is, as you say, now a well known tenor. I was a chorister at St.Paul's and remember doing this.
AB1ification 3 months ago
@AB1ification My mistake, I guess it's a case of too many head choristers called Jeremy. Cool that you were there. Are you in the procession shown in the video?
gotham61 3 months ago
This is so cute! This is great, considering that the setup had to be extremely nerve-wracking!
Nathan1097 2 years ago
Very sweet!
coffeeforcreature 3 years ago
St Michaels and Angels is my church!
xximbyxx 3 years ago
It is lovely. Thankyou.
chorister51 4 years ago
I have no idea where notyob (or who he is!) got this from, but it has amused everyone at work anyway. There will be plenty of mileage as Christmas is round the corner! Bit of a shock to see it on the web, but I suppose it's a free world. I can confirm that I was really bricking it at the time - without the nerves, I'd have done a better job. Bit more pleased with the second song though. Cheers for all the nice comments (I'll ignore the others!) James
jkharmer 4 years ago
Oh wow.... are you the star of this video then? Brilliant. You're famous all over again. Can we have your autograph?
notyobs 4 years ago
Yep, it was me. I remember being there for something like 6 or 7 hours practicing and getting lighting sorted. I then only had a single take with the actual choir on oth songs as they were not with us for long. I still cringe at the bum notes even now 18 years on. I have to go out of the room if my mum plays the video at Christmas!
jkharmer 4 years ago
Ahhh... there's no need for that. You should feel proud. At about the time you appeared, I'd often felt like writing in to ask if Jim Could Fix it for Me to play the organ of St Paul's while the choir sang! At least you got on and wrote that letter and got your dream.
notyobs 4 years ago
PS A kid I knew called James Franklin joined the choir in 1986 or 87, so he'd have been there too. He looked just like the boy on the sofa at the end, but that can't have been him I don't think as he'd still have been pretty junior.
notyobs 4 years ago
JKH, you have nothing whatever to be ashamed of. When you can look back on this occasion with pride rather than embarrassment, you'll know you've really grown up -- or got old, or something. An ambition to sing in St Paul's is commendable in itself, and you did pretty darn well.
Yet there is one regret. You should have auditioned for the St Paul's choir in 1987 or 1988. You would surely have got in - you had the style and the nerve - and then you would have been one of the professionals!
caesarjay 4 years ago 2
OMG I remember watching this. Do you still have your Jim'll Fix It Medal??? Well done with the singing too.
trishignao 3 years ago
great that his dream was fulfilled. But he's old enough for the truth... that was terrible.
kalindoscopy 4 years ago
I remember this episode. Thx for posting it.
I'm a former child chorister in an RSCM affiliated parish church choir. From what I remember of the 2 Southern Cathedral Singers we had at one point in our choir was that they were both older than 10. This fellow must have been one of the youngest in the Northern Cathedral Singers.
Apart from the nerves in Once in Royal David's City, he did a great job in the second solo.
tillydog 4 years ago
That second solo was so much better. He was so cute!
Nathan1097 4 years ago
It should be remembered that he is 10yrs Old, most soloists for this piece - certainly in the choirs I have directed - have been 12yrs old or up. He does a good job - poor lad must have been petrified.
organ1st2002 4 years ago
Indeed. I often thought of writing to Jim asking if he would fix it for me to play the organ at St Paul's, with the choir singing.
notyobs 4 years ago
His dream came true. How many of us can say that. Well done lad.
drwestbury 4 years ago
I am crying but joying how does the sender feeling and his wish to sing at the glorious cathedral was fulfill. I also have a same wish to sing at the cathedral when i was 14 at year 1999 but my wish doesn't came in reality. So Keep it up notyobs and may God bless your journey. Regards from Kuching, Malaysia.
jeff1732 4 years ago
This was the Xmas 1989 edition of the show, filmed in September. I was in the audience. I think it was studio six at TV centre it was filmed at. Jimmy Saville went through our row during warm-up being 'funny' and I remember he smelt of cigars.
culttelevision 4 years ago
Sweet story for television, but the lad would not have earned a solo spot on his own. Thanks to notyobs for the posting!
blantonrk 4 years ago
I agree - very sweet, but not entierly convincing. The nerves came throught.
FunkyDunkyTheMunky 4 years ago