TELEVISION viewers can see the musical director of a Bournemouth-based community choir being paid a surprise tribute in this evening’s Tonight’s the Night, hosted by actor and singer John Barrowman.
Martin Arthur founded the Wessex Chorus nearly two years ago.
The choir practises every Tuesday at the Metropolitan Community Church Hall in Hannington Road, Pokesdown, and performs at local concerts and community events to raise money for various local and national charities.
His surprise was engineered by his partner, Mike Carlile, who said: “It all started some months ago when I sent a casual email to the programme’s website. I never dreamt they would take up my proposal to put Martin on the show.”
Mike had to use subterfuge to get Martin to Glasgow and into the studio where the BBC1 programme is recorded.
“Martin thought he was just there to watch the show.”
Martin said: “I was taken completely by surprise when John Barrowman picked me out in the audience and brought me on to the stage. I was even more dumbfounded when the Wessex Chorus emerged from behind a screen to join John Barrowman singing the song You’ve Got a Friend. It was their first appearance without me conducting.”
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