Big Sing... & big hearted

BGT choir’s blast from past for Alesha as grief-struck couple tell of romance

- EMMELINE SAUNDERS

BRITAIN'S Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon got a massive surprise when she spotted a familiar face among The Big Sing choir.

Howard Francis, the musical director for her old girl band Mis-Teeq, was also stunned that she still recognised him.

Howard, 61, along with his wife Gemma, was at the London Palladium with their 350-strong choir, the show's largest act, for an audition.

Ahead of appearing in the first episode of the new series tonight, he reveals: "She saw me by accident in the corridor as she was going on stage.

"She said, 'Howard?! That relaxed me, it was great she remembered me."

Howard, a keyboardist and songwriter who previously toured with Westlife and Will Young, launched The Big Sing with gospel singer Gemma as a six-week project a decade ago.

She also worked with the BGT production team to surprise judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha and Bruno Tonioli with their rendition of Emeli Sandé's Brighter Days.

After the choir's growth, the couple now see it as "one big family" that supports members facing struggles.

"They tell us how they're going through illnesses or cancer treatment, and how the choir is helping," says 41-year-old Gemma.