A SEARCH has been launched for talented singers from across North Wales who fantasise about performing with the musical idol.

The top tenor Meirion , who was brought up in Porthmadog and now lives in Pwllglas, near Ruthin, is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in dazzling duets on his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr - Singing with My Idol.

Northwich Guardian:

Elin Fflur in duet with Rhys Meirion

The groundbreaking Sing with Your Idol series is a tremendous opportunity for currently undiscovered vocal talents to sing with a star like Welsh pop’s Elin Fflur or Bryn Fôn.

Meirion, who also presents Cwmni Da’s successful Corau Rhys Meirion, believes the series has the potential to change lives.

He said he still recalls the excitement of his early career when he had the chance to perform alongside vocalists he had long respected, benefitting from their advice and encouragement.

Northwich Guardian:

Sir Bryn Terfel. Picture: Facebook/ Sir Bryn Terfel

His own idol, growing up, was the late Pavarotti who he sadly never got to sing with. But Meirion has shared the stage with Welsh compatriot Sir Bryn Terfel, a moment which he said was overwhelming.

He said: “Singing with Bryn for the first time was just amazing for me. It was a highlight of my career, just being on stage with someone with such a powerful voice who I’d admired for so long. Moments like that really do change your life for the better. To be able to give a gift like that to someone else will be incredible.

“Wales is known as the land of song and we want to be able to bring some of its hidden songsmiths out into the open, shine a light on their talent and get them singing with their musical heroes and heroines.

“Take a chance and apply – you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. What would be terrible is for the application deadline to pass by and to regret not grasping the nettle and applying.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible, for them to tell us about their musical hopes and dreams. What’s more there is virtually no limit on who can apply. We’re looking for people aged from of 10 right up to 110, and the show covers pretty much any music genre from pop to classical, rock to reggae, jazz, soul, folk, anything.”

Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV production company, Cwmni Da, by Sunday, August 2.

They are looking for nine people, aged from 10 to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which starts filming in the Autumn.

Those with the most compelling reasons for wanting to share the spotlight with their music idol will be selected to go forward to the filming stage during which they will be mentored by Rhys and the Cwmni Da team and potentially meet up and sing with their musical hero or heroine.

Cwmni Da hopes to start filming the series this autumn with a view to it being broadcast on S4C in January 2021.

For more information and to apply visit the Cwmni Da website cwmnida.cymru, email canu@cwmnida.tv or call 07483904452.