Alfie Boe to sing at FA Cup Final at Wembley

26 May 2015 16:16

West End star Alfie Boe will have to be pitch perfect on Saturday when he sings the national anthem and Abide With Me ahead of the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

The singer, who played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, said: “I can’t wait to perform at the FA Cup Final. I’m proud to be a part of such a historic final, at such a historic venue, plus getting to represent our great nation with our national anthem and Abide With Me.

“I know the atmosphere will be electric and I know that the excitement of the game transfers to each household and venue around the world.

Alfie Boe performing at the VE Day concert earlier this month (Yui Mok/PA)
Alfie Boe performing at the VE Day concert earlier this month (Yui Mok/PA)

“As a kid we would wear our own personal team colours, even if they weren’t playing and tune in for the Cup Final and celebrate the teams that made it through such a difficult tournament.

“The FA Cup Final seems to bring everyone together to unite the magic and glory of our national game – I’m thrilled to be a part of it, plus for the first time in my life, I get a Cup Final ticket.”

His performance of Abide With Me will see him join the BBC Songs of Praise FA Cup Fans Choir – made up of 64 supporters – accompanied by The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The FA Cup Trophy (Nick Potts/PA)
The FA Cup Trophy (Nick Potts/PA)

The choir, which includes two Elvis impersonators, a karaoke champion, and a 100-year-old supporter, were brought together after Songs Of Praise launched a competition to find a representative of each of the 64 teams which played in the third round of the competition this year.

Fans were told that no singing experience was necessary and received over 1,300 applications.

The 64 men and women will meet up for the first time on the day before the final, which sees Arsenal take on Aston Villa, and will rehearse the hymn on Wembley’s pitch.

Source: SNAPPA