Midsomer choir set to make killing with deal

The Wallingford Parish Choir from Oxfordshire has triumphed in a national search for a choir by record giant Universal Music.

But their win has come just as the programme in which they appear has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Midsomer producer Brian True-May has been suspended following comments he made about not using anyone from ethnic minorities on the Middle England show.

The contest judges sifted through hundreds of entries after placing ads in newspapers.

The ads were spotted by a former leading record executive who lives in the Wallingford area and encouraged the choir to enter.

Ex-managing director of Virgin Records Paul Conroy said: “The church where they rehearse is virtually next door to my home and I have spent many years listening to them as I walked past.

“I knew they would appeal partly because the mixture of youth and experience but also the quality of their performance. I suggested that they put themselves forward to the competition and I am very pleased and proud that they were chosen.”

Director of music Sue Ledger loved Wallingford Choir so much she gave up her career as a GP to follow her dream and become the choir’s music director.

The choir will release The Hymns Album, partly recorded at Abbey Road Studios, on April 18, and, as part of their prize, will perform at the Royal Albert Hall.