Hello, and welcome.

I’ve been singing for England this summer and it’s been a great 2010. Well it’s a World Cup year and that tends to bring the performer out in everyone. That’s why I teamed up with Emmerdale star Tony Audenshaw to record an unofficial England World Cup song. Tony, who plays Bob Hope in the soap, fronts a band called White Van Man and he asked me to sing along on Viva Englandia. (We first met on the start line of the Manchester 10k and then Tony asked me to join his band for a special charity show at the Royal Albrt Hall last Christmas).

The music well, how can I put this? It’s not my usual style. The track is based on the German band Die Hohner’s number one hit Viva Colonia. Of course the lyrics were overhauled by the White Van team and given an England World Cup slant. A mix of classical and pub rock.

It’s cheese that’s best served with a large glass of red! It’s funny, patriotic and Tony and the band have a great sense of humour. It was a great little project to get involved in. The track Viva Englandia (www.vivaenglandia.co.uk) went on sale on iTunes in May. Thinking back it was the 1990 World Cup that really turned me on to opera. Italia 90 Pavarotti. Nessun Dorma. Seems like only yesterday.

But I was reminded of how special that summer was when I was asked to record my version of Nessun Dorma for the soundtrack of ‘One Night in Turin’, which was a special arrangement of the Puccini classic by composer Stuart Hancock It accompanies a film version of Pete Davies’ best selling book about England’s World Cup adventures in Italy in 1990. The reviews have been good and you can buy a copy here or from iTunes. It’s a key part of the film – accompanying the crucial penalty shoot out against the Germans. Let’s not go there now…

In fact, in recent weeks it’s been one sporting conquest after another. I sang for the England Cricket team during their World Cup 20/20 success in the Caribbean. Then I was asked to sing in front of the 35,000 strong crowds at the Great Manchester Run — before taking part in the run and clocking up my lifetime best of 48 minutes. Oh by the way I’ve still been doing the day job. This summer I’ve been performing the role of Don Jose in Carmen in front of packed crowds at Opera Holland Park. It’s been amazing.

Cheers, Seán