Classical heartthrob Alfie Boe is king of rock at eisteddfod

Classical heartthrob Alfie Boe became the king of rock to charm the audience at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The star of opera and the West End showed the 4,000 full house his new repertoire and introduced a new competition for the festival. There were echoes of the American hit series Glee as the finalists in the show choir competition shared the stage with the star of Les Miserables.

The winning choir was the Wrexham-based Delta Dragons with their Sister Act medley, beating Doncaster's Rainbow Connection and the Midlands Youth Choir from South Africa.

After receiving their awards from Alfie Boe they were called back onto the stage to 'jam' with the tenor.

Boe told the audience: "I love this place, you always welcome me with open arms.

"Last time I was here in tails and a bow tie, you certainly won't see that tonight."

He revealed that his family, including his mother and his brother John, were in the front row and captured the hearts of the audience when he sang the Welsh national anthem.

Earlier in the day eisteddfod organisers had to open up an overflow car park on the Dinas Bran playing fields to allow the muddy main car park to dry out.

During the day circles for peace were formed around the pavilion during the Sound of Silence event.

Former peace envoy and Eisteddfod president Terry Waite joined hands with Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones in the silence. The minister praised the eisteddfod for the message of peace it sends around the globe.

Winner of the new, songs from the shows solo competition, Sian Alderton, had staff at the eisteddfod nervous when she went on stage, just two weeks away from giving birth to her second child.

The 28-year-old, who took second place in another competition at the eisteddfod last year, said: "I can't believe it. It is much harder to sing with the baby. My stomach muscles have gone so I have had to learn to sing a completely different way."

She said she had planned to make her way to Wrexham Maelor Hospital if she went into labour.

Britain's Got Talent star Farryl Smith handed out awards in the pavilion.

Now an ambassador of the eisteddfod, Farryl, 16, said the festival had given her a marvellous start in her singing career.

"I performed here with the choir, Masquerade. It was amazing to be asked to return here as a professional singer appearing with Russell Watson."

By Sue Austin