One of the problems that we face through the media attention that these artists receive is that there has been an awful lot of talk about opera and classical music being elite and being for an elitist group.

Singing is an arduous business and it needs sacrifices.

I'm very pro presenting the best music I can to the widest audience possible.

And woven into the fabric of this harsh existence was music.

I'm engaging my diaphragm as I'm speaking to you right now.

The musical heritage of Yorkshire is deep and wide.

My mum used to say to me, 'Spit on yer 'ands and take a fresh 'old.' Keep going even if you have setbacks.