X-Factor’s Jonathan Ansell in Whistle Down the Wind at Venue Cymru

Jun 10 2010 by Hayley Saul, North Wales Weekly News

Jonathan Ansell

KNOWN for his angelic face and powerful voice, Jonathan Ansell would be the last choice for the role of scary character The Man in the musical Whistle Down the Wind.

But he has shocked audiences by winning the role and is playing him in a touring performance, which heads to Llandudno this month.

Comparing himself to his character, he said: “The Man is a dark and frustrated character, he is completely different to what I’m like in real life.”

Whistle Down the Wind is the tale of a murderer hiding in a barn, the children who find him believing he is Jesus Christ himself.

Jonathan and his wife, TV presenter Debbie King, have announced they are expecting their first child, due in November. He said: “I am absolutely amazed. It’s really exciting, I just want a healthy baby.”

Rising to fame with his vocal group G4, they made it through the ranks of the infamous X-Factor before eventually losing out to Steve Brookstein.

The group signed a record deal with Sony BMG, a rival company to Simon Cowell’s, but there is no friction between the group and the music mogul.

“Simon is a lot nicer than you’d imagine,” said Jonathan. “He was intimidating, but not scary. He was driven, sweet and passionate.”

After the group split in 2007, Jonathan went on to release two solo albums as well as touring the UK.

Jonathan has had success with two previous albums, making it high in the charts.

But has no plans at the moment to release a third.

He said: “I would like to release an album of theatre songs that I have been involved in. I want to release an album that means something to me.”

Whistle Down the Wind, Venue Cymru, June 14-19, 2pm and 8pm. Call 01492 872000 or see venuecymru.co.uk