Jonathan Ansell shot to fame in 2004 by taking part in hit ITV show The X-Factor, instantly becoming a household name with the band G4. They successfully toured the UK and released several albums before disbanding in 2007, since then Jonathan has forged a reputable and inspiring solo career.

He is currently touring the UK playing the role of ‘The Man’ in Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Jim Steinman’s production of Whistle Down the Wind, which is being directed by theatre impresario Bill Kenwright.

Jonathan kindly agreed to take ten minutes out of his already long list of press commitments by chatting to The Public Reviews editor John Roberts

You shot to fame in 2004 by taking part in The X-Factor in the group G4, why did you decided to audition for the show?

I was watching the television and I heard Simon Cowell’s Voice over during an advert break stating that for the first time ever they were going to be accepting groups. The guys (G4) and myself had recently formed as an A cappella group/Barbershop quartet and decided that we should enter and see what happens, but at that stage we had no preconceived ideas about what would happen.

Do you feel having to take part in programmes like X-Factor to get recognised in the music business, is a failing on the record industry?

Not at all, programmes such as X-Factor are amazing at being able to expose new artists to a huge and potential audience, it is ultimately a way of fast tracking in the business, which I suppose saves the record industry money, but this kind of thing on a smaller scale has been going on from years, and as long as the artists that are ultimately chosen are credible then long may programmes like that exist.

G4 had a relatively successful outing so why the decision to disband and follow a solo career?

In the end it was not what every member of the group wanted to do, and we decided to end while we were still enjoying it. We were living out of each other’s pockets and tensions started to appear, so we thought it better to leave it behind before we really got bitter and jaded with the profession. I decided to carry on in the industry as a solo artist because that is what I really wanted to do, the other guys are now forging successful careers in Opera. We are still really good friends and a couple of the lads live just round the corner from me, so it is nice to meet up and relax and not have the industry as a weight around our necks.

So how did the role of The Man in Whistle Down the Wind come about?

I had spoken to my manager saying that I would love to have a role in a musical theatre production as long as the right role was to come up and left it at that. Not very long after he came back to me saying that Whistle Down The Wind was going to be touring the UK and that Bill Kenwright was interested in meeting me for an audition. I quickly got together an audition piece went along and got offered the part their and then.

I believe you have undergone quite a difficult fitness regime for the part, what has that involved?

Bill Kenwright sent me straight away to the gym he owns in Regents Park, where he connected me with a personal trainer. They gave me dietary and physical assessments then put me on an intense six days a week, six week course. That was the period directly before rehearsals began. Also where possible I went to the gym whilst in the rehearsal process. I am regularly changing my diet plan to stay the shape I am – as I need to look as close to an escaped convict as possible.

What can you tell me about your part as ‘The Man’ in the production?

He’s an escaped convict, charged with murder, who is ultimately misunderstood by the community he has escaped to: By the adults he is the man capable of murder, by the children he is Jesus Christ, and that brings an interesting Juxtaposition to the piece. I believe The Man is a good guy, who has trodden the wrong path in life – perhaps even being wrongly imprisoned for murder, but by the love that the children show him, he is ultimately enlightened and becomes a changed man.

What has been the hardest thing for you whilst being on tour?

It has to be being away from home and all the creature comforts that brings, like the Sky+ box, most people would say being away from family but I am lucky in the fact that my wife Debbie who I recently got married too has been able to come on tour with me setting her office up in my dressing room, so that has been a real blessing.

You have said you are a huge musicals fan but what is your favourite musical and why?

It would have to be either Les Miserables or Blood Brothers, I really can’t choose between them. They both have great stories and fantastic songs. They are productions that emotionally get you every time, no matter how many times you have seen them before.

Finally why should people come and see Whistle Down the Wind?

It is Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s hidden gem – it may not be as well known as Joseph, or Jesus Christ Superstar, but it has a fantastic script and the storyline is so powerful with some truly sensational songs that it has been making audiences cry every night. Whistle Down The Wind ultimately is a fantastic night out at the theatre

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Don’t forget to enter our fantastic competition to win tickets to see the show at The Manchester Opera House this month – Enter the Competition by clicking HERE

The Show runs at the Opera House in Manchester from:

Monday 22nd March to Saturday 3rd April : Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat matinee 2.30pm.

Tickets: £11.60 – £37.50 Booking line: 0844 847 2295* www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk *

* subject to booking fee - Groups of 10+ Mon-Fri 10am-6pm: 0844 372 7272

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Other dates of Whistle Down the Wind are as follows:

5 Apr – 17 Apr:  Leeds Grand Theatre -0844 848 2706

19 Apr – 24 Apr: Theatre Royal Plymouth – 01752 267222

26 Apr – 1 May: Milton Keynes Theatre – 0844 871 7627

24 May – 29 May:  Glasgow King’s Theatre -0141 240 1300

31 May – 12 Jun : Theatre Royal Newcastle -08448 11 21 21

14Jun  - 19 Jun:  Venue Cymru Llandudno – 01492 872 000

28 Jun – 2 Jul Bradford Alhambra Theatre – 01274 432 000

Interview: Ten minutes with Jonathan Ansell, 4.5 out of 5 based on 6 ratings

Tags: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bill Kenwright, Featured, Interview, Jonathan Ansell, Whistle Down the Wind