15 Minutes With...Ted Howard-Jones (Hawkstone Choir)

It's not every day you get a bona fide celebrity on 15 Minutes With — but this week, host Jonathan Roberts sits down with CLA member Ted Howard-Jones, part of the Hawkstone Choir that took Britain by storm and won Britain's Got Talent.

Ted shares the surreal journey from a farming-club advert to a golden buzzer moment on the BGT stage, working with Jeremy Clarkson and the Clarkson's Farm team, and what it's really like behind the scenes of one of the year's most heartwarming viral moments. Along the way, he opens up about the choir's deeper mission: raising awareness of mental health in farming and supporting those struggling with isolation on the land.

Tune in for a story of unexpected fame, farming camaraderie, and the power of song — plus a look at what's next for the Hawkstone Choir, from the Royal Variety Performance to the Royal Welsh Show.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

This is 15 minutes with from the Country Land and Business Association. I'm Jonathan Roberts. In this edition, I sit down with CLA member Ted Howard Jones, part of the Hawkeson choir that recently won Britain's Got Talent. Ted Howard Jones is not very often I have a bona fide celebrity on 15 minutes with. Good to speak to you.

SPEAKER_01 0:27

Thank you very much, Jonathan. I think I'm very far down the list of celebrities that you've interviewed on this podcast series.

SPEAKER_00 0:34

Ah, well, I suppose there's farming celebrities and there are mass market primetime IT celebrities. So you're uh your Britain's Got Talent with her, which probably blows your mind because probably a year ago you probably never even thought about applying. Is that right?

SPEAKER_01 0:54

Yeah, that's absolutely right. Yes. I mean Britain's Got Talent has been a real surreal, if you like, uh experience for um an ordinary sort of CLA member, like farmer from Buckinghamshire. Um, yeah, it it came about because I'm a member of a local farming club. Um, and an advert did the rounds in the farming clubs that said, Are you a farmer and can you sing? Um, you'll get paid to come and do an advert. And I thought, well, you know, why not go and do a bit of fun? And so I sent in my audition tape. And um, yeah, and it started from there. Didn't really know it was anything to do with Clarkson or Hawkeston or anything at the time. So it was a it was a an unknown.

SPEAKER_00 1:41

And what was the dynamic? Was it Jeremy Clarkson sitting there thinking, I want us to start a choir, or or or was it something else? I mean, was it motivated by something else entirely?

SPEAKER_01 1:53

I don't know. I mean, he I he wanted to advertise his lager and cider brands, and I don't know what creative thoughts went through his head, but he came up with some um strange or if you're right, fair fairly rude ditties to uh to normal songs that were familiar. And uh yeah, uh we which we were sent once we'd been uh accepted an audition. Um, and we were sent these on a tape and um and so forth. And then we rocked up at his um farmer's dog pub in the Cotswold uh for a day and spent uh a long day in the sunshine um with cold beers in our hand, which we weren't allowed to drink um for continuity purposes, um, being filmed by the Clarkson's Farm team.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

And so at what point did somebody turn around to you and say, Right, we're a real choir now, and we're gonna start entering competitions at all, let alone the competition.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

Yeah, I it was it was strange because I don't think there was any expectation on that first day that we would do more than one day's filming as a as a one-off, you know, little choir just doing a uh an internet advert for his beer. Um, but at the end, well, almost as we sang the first song, Clarkson turned around and said, My God, these people really can sing, and they really are farmers. So that was a confidence boost. We all stood there thinking, actually, this doesn't sound too bad. Um, and at the end of the day, we had such a laugh together as farmers chatting between takes and and so forth, and and and and uh chewing the fat and relating our various stories from across the country about you know how the farming was going. Um, that we went, well, we hope this carries on a bit because we've had a real good fun today and we've been paid for it. So it was all good news as we were supping a pint in the in the in the farmer's dog garden. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:00

So so we as uh the audience sit at home on a Saturday night with our Chinese takeaway or whatever, and we're watching Britain's Got Talent, and we see, I tume, a very small percentage of those who've actually pitched up and applied. What happens? See, you you see on these programs, don't you? You see the cues of people outside some conference centers somewhere queuing to the museum. But that's normally you know, one man and his dog, or somebody with a guitar or a magician or something. There were quite a lot of you. You must have filled up quite quite a lot of space. Talk us through that first day. What actually happens behind the scenes?

SPEAKER_01 4:39

So, yeah, we were auditioned, we were requested. Well, we applied to get for an additional Brent's Got Talent, which was uh after after we'd done that first day's filming. Um, we just to give you a bit of context, we did uh we chose a song uh which was One Day Like This by Elb. Um, we did two days rehearsal um in QuickLade, and that was in I think September um last year. And then in October, we went up to Birmingham for one day uh and we got there at like eight o'clock in the morning. Uh we were stuck in holding room where we did a bit of rehearsing, and then we went down to the stage at I think about like six o'clock in the evening. And yes, we'd seen all sorts of other acts turn up, but they were kind of off off in the wings doing their own things, including some Italian dancers and God knows who else. Um but we didn't know when some kids, kids on on uh on bicycles or something that were doing jumping, jumping on ramps and so forth. But we didn't really, we weren't really knowing how how Brints, I don't really know how Brints got talent works, to be honest. I didn't know who the two of the judges were. They were news to me, didn't know who KSI was. Um and so yeah, we just we just we did we did go on to we very early when we when we walked into the building, they they said, well, this is the stage, this is where you're gonna stand, um, come back here later. And then we you know we would just sort of uh troop down to the stage and we just went on and we sang it, and that was the audition.

SPEAKER_00 6:11

And then you didn't just sing it when you were on stage in front of you. I mean, you got the golden buzzer, right? You got the biggest award that you can have in the first audition going. It is basically a golden ticket through into the centre of the state.

SPEAKER_01 6:27

Absolutely, yeah. It was rather surreal because I mean, you know, uh Amanda Holden, you know, uh leant over the desk and pressed the golden buzzer. Well, we most of us were trained to be looking at the audience and singing at the audience, and we were we weren't really looking at the judges, and therefore I personally didn't even see her press this thing, and it wasn't until this confetti comes down that I go, Well, what the hell's going on? And everyone else was jumping about and whooping and and whatever. Um, and then I realized what had happened because I wasn't very familiar with Britain's God talent and what the process was um and what that meant.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

Um, and then yeah, you did you know, did you know that a golden bosom meant you got fast-tracked into the uh into the late?

SPEAKER_01 7:12

No, I had no idea. I didn't know that if you got some beeps, the boos, you know, the the X's, then you were off, which is kind of what we were expecting, really. Um we weren't expecting to go anywhere. I mean, we were just a bunch of farmers uh singing a song on a stage, you know. It was a bit of a laugh.

SPEAKER_00 7:29

Um I'm curious about you went on a new one, and that must have been an incredible moment for you all. Uh do you think that this was an incredible moment for how farmers are perceived generally? Do you think there was a degree to this, which is the British public recognising that farmers are having it tough at the moment and wanted to show their support? Or do you think it was much more narrow than that? Do you think that they were treating it just as a competition? And among all of these finalists, we think that these guys are the best.

SPEAKER_01 8:06

Well, the Golden Buzzard, I think, I think that was Amanda Holden's um Amanda Holden's decision. I mean, yes, the audience in the in that theatre were really behind us. They they were on their feet and we got an amazing feedback from that audience. But at the audition stage, it was more Amanda Holden's decision that she said, I recognize what you guys have done, you know, do on a daily basis. How on earth do you get find time to rehearse as a choir? Um, and and you know, you're away from your day jobs. This isn't your natural environment, you're not natural performers, but you've you've delivered a great performance. And and that's it was her decision. Uh, I think the the next stage, which is was the semi-finals and the finals where we were voted, that's where um that's where the public really you know got behind us, as it were. And I think we, to a certain extent, you're right, Jonathan, we are riding the crest of a wave, I guess, of uh sentiment towards farming, which is very positive, I think. Um, and you know, there is a political aspect to that, no doubt. Um, uh, but also it's you know, not to be uh underestimated the the Clarkson effect, if you like, and the Hawkestone effect. You know, we are extremely lucky that we have, you know, the majority of our expenses, etc., have been funded by Hawkstone. Um Jeremy Clarkson's been behind this, you know, from the very beginning, as soon as he sort of walked on set on that first advert and went, okay, you guys are farmers and you can sing. Um, and he's got behind it. And so we've we've been very lucky, and we've, you know, we've played the social media card, we've been worked really hard at that, told our story, um, and you know, given the behind-the-scenes stuff as well. Um, and we've we are incredibly lucky because not but within the choir, there are some amazing singers, and I really mean top class, world-class singers. Not me, I hasten to add, uh, but we are lucky that there are three or four world-class singers within the choir who happen to be farmers. Um, you know, so um, and we've got a great musical director who's who writes stuff and arranges stuff for us and really captures it. And then Lizzie Dean, who is our you know, choir mistress out there waving her arms, and she's just so enthusiastic and so much fun that we give it all our all. And I think that the sound that comes out and the emotion that comes out just captures, you know, captured the public really.

SPEAKER_00 10:47

To tie those threads together, I think you know, one of the reasons why Clarkson's farm has been so popular. Well, firstly, it's a jolly good watch, right? It's really, really interesting. Jeremy Clarkson has a certain sort of um you know attraction to him as well. Uh, but um uh people are curious about somebody setting off on their own journey about farming. And Clarkson's the um the prime example, but there are other farming programs that are very well watched out there, people who have a natural instinctive support for it. And it's funny because wherever I go, I I speak to farmers, including farmers of my own family, who will often, once they've had a pint or a glass of wine, might say, you know, people don't realise what farmers are doing every day. And I I I wonder whether there's just you know, uh every now and then we get a little nod from the public, don't we? Uh, that says that our support for you might not be completely overt. We might not be out there walking down the streets celebrating farming with you every two minutes. Uh, but there is that instinctive love and support for farming out there that Jeremy Clarkson and you have been helping to harness. And I suppose that the next question might be well, what happens next with your group?

SPEAKER_01 12:03

Well, it's a very good question. Um, but before I come to that, I'd I'd like to just cover one of the really important things that we've been trying to put forwards, which is the mental health aspect. Because throughout this, not only have we wanted to raise the message about mental health in farming, which is an appalling statistic of about three suicides per week in farming. Uh, and and I know, and everyone almost in the choir knows people who have committed suicide or have suffered terrible depression or or mental illness. So I think we're all really aware of that. And I think we we want to make sure that throughout what we do, both what we have done and what we do going forwards is to continue that message about the loneliness and isolation of farming and the fact that there are people out there to help those that are struggling and hopefully give a bit of joy, you know. And we've already had lots of messages that said, you know, you've been uh a little bit of joy in my life, and thank you for for making me talk about this to my wife or whatever. Um so I think we're already doing that to an extent. Um, we need to do more, um, undoubtedly, and uh and we're putting some of the prize money that we got from Britain's got talent to uh farming charities, and we hope to work with them going forwards. Um but yeah, and and and not only that, but even within the microcosm of the choir, just the 40 odd people that are within our WhatsApp group, every day there are people suffering, you know. Someone yesterday in the lightning strikes lost two heifers, you know. Um that is that's a blow to them, you know. Uh and someone had, you know, 300 acres of of hay that was cut and then rained on, you know. You know, for them, that's a financial disaster this month, you know. Um, so you can see the struggles every day and what that causes, even just within our choir, but also the messages coming back from people saying, Oh, well, you know, don't worry about this, or come give me a chat, give me a call and I'll we'll we'll talk it through, and you know, I might have a solution to this problem or whatever. So, you know, we're really keen on on that aspect. But to to come back to your question, what's the future? Well, we do have we're lucky enough to have some uh gigs to go to or or performances. We the Brin's Got Talent means that winning Britain's got talent means that we're on the Royal Variety performance, which is in November. Um, and we're going to the Royal Welsh show, which is going to be a lot of fun. There are a lot of Welshmen in the choir, and Welsh ladies as well in the choir. Um, it's gonna be a tough gig because the Welsh are very discerning about what they listen to. It's land of song, after all. Um but uh we're really looking forward to going to the Royal Welsh show. Um, and there are another few um performances that are in in the works, definitely. Um and there is talk about doing an album, um, and there is talk about doing a tour as well. So we we don't know yet, but it's all slightly up in the air. You know, we're only what is it, two or three weeks from winning the Britain's Got Talent, so we haven't even got a bank account yet. Um so uh we're just trying to do all those sort of background stuff that get the choir on its feet properly, um uh and becoming an organization and and going through all that. So um that's where we are at the moment.

SPEAKER_00 15:39

Embly Stadium Beckons. It reminds me uh had an old mate at uni who ended up in I think the final with Britain's Got Talent a very long time ago, and he ended up doing uh three personal appearances at nightclubs every night for six months, uh, and and bought a bought a house with it. So uh you never know. There's quite a lot of you to split the winnings between us things.

SPEAKER_01 16:04

Um I don't think any of us are looking to get rich out of this actually, uh, but what we are in it is for the fun, um and the camaraderie and the group, and perhaps in the long term, um, there have been other choirs like the Military Wides Choir, which have gone on to spawn, if you like, other groups, other choirs around the country. And for those that enjoy singing, even if it's just in the tractor cab, um singing is medically proven to to lift your mood, you know, and there are lots of studies about it. So um I really encourage anyone who isn't in a choir but has thought about it, go and join a local community choir. And you know, one day there may be a farmer's choir uh near you as well.

SPEAKER_00 16:55

Yeah, whether it's a farmer's choir, a military choir, or anything else, a quick choir, it's uh a little reminder that you're not alone, right? Which takes you back to your mental health benefits. Ted, time's nearly up. One question I've got to ask what's Simon like.

SPEAKER_01 17:11

Simon Cow. Yeah. I I haven't really met him. I I did shake his hand uh as we came off stage for the finals uh and had won it. Um yeah, he seemed very nice guy. Um surprisingly, not no taller than me, which is not very tall if anyone has me. Um so um, but I didn't get to I didn't really get to meet him. Um Jerry Clark's not on the island, it's great, just exactly the same off-screen as you see him on screen. Uh, a great laugh and fully supportive, uh, as is Caleb of what we're doing.

SPEAKER_00 17:45

And uh long may it continue. Yeah, absolutely. It's funny, people used to think Simon Cowell was the nasty one, but in in time he softened with age, as as we all do, as we all do. Um Ted Howe Jones, congratulations, and thank you also for the work that you've been doing, because it's not just about the competition as you identify it, it's about the message more generally. So, uh, thank you for joining us on 15 minutes with.

SPEAKER_01 18:11

Thank you very much, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_00 18:16

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