Who is popular today?

The singer on growing up with eight siblings, working in a factory and his accidental opera career Born in Blackpool in 1973, Alfie Boe is the UK’s most popular tenor. He was raised in Fleetwood, Lancashire, and his voice was discovered when he was overheard singing while he was working in a car factory and encouraged to audition for an opera company. Since then, the Royal College of Music alumnus has led the cast of Les Misérables, won a Tony for his performance in Puccini’s La Bohème on Broadway, and achieved crossover success with his longtime collaborator Michael Ball. His new solo album, Open Arms – The Symphonic Songbook, is released on 27 October.I remember the day this photo was taken vividly. I was three years old and doing my favourite thing – pretending to be my dad in that little red car. I’d spend hours parking, reversing and driving around. I even used to get out of the car like Dad, impersonating him as I locked the door and walked away. Continue reading...