I am also a choir member and I agree with Don that some fantastic stories lie on the cutting room floor! Many people on various forums have asked – what happened during rehearsals? Who are these people and why are they here? And, most of all, WHO were the other 32 choir members?

This could have been a very different programme, full of insight, warmth and humour. Instead it was a pale imitation of a reality show, with traces of Trisha!

Yes – there were people who did not fit the criteria (had to live and/or work in Blackbird Leys), yes – some people really couldn’t sing that well/at all but made it on personallity alone. But, they showed guts and determination and, for whatever reason, made it to the Albert Hall! I didn’t like one or two of them, but I accepted that they had made it into the choir and I had to deal with it and so should everyone else!

Ivor was a puppet for the tv company. It was all to serve his own career. I doubt the concept was even his idea. I also doubt he would even have noticed if some of the choir were miming, as long as he got the camera time! The choir members all know how much of what went on was staged. People with mental illness being goaded and provoked into a reaction by the tv crew. That ain’t right!! The boozy night at the hotel where the choir stayed up way too late? Booze provided by the tv crew which was also attended by Ivor who stayed up well after many of the choir members!

I know the show was very popular and I don’t mean to offend those who were riveted. But, you see, we know just how good it could have been had the cameras simply followed the story as it unfolded, instead of creating drama where it didn’t need to be.

Finally, for the record, most of us HAVE had musical experience (I can read music) and would have given a fantastic performance under any professional conductor without ‘marvellous’ Ivor or the aid of a camera wedged in our faces! Who knows – it might even have been an enjoyable experience! I’ll never know!!