Pair's golden operatunity

The pair are among 20 amateur singers who have won through to the latest round of Operatunity, Channel 4's classical answer to Pop Idol.

With his heavy boots and lumberjack shirt, Ted Jackson hardly epitomises the elegance and style traditionally associated with opera.

But the father-of-three has reached the final 20 in the search for a star and will perform Rigoletto alongside the professionals at the London Coliseum on Tuesday.

Joining him will be Brighton third-year law student George Ikediashi, 20, who also dreams of a life on the stage.

The pair were among 2,500 people who sent tapes of their performances to the show in January 2002.

Neither expected to be called to auditions but their voices captured the imaginations of the judges and they made it through to the final 100.

Their subsequent London audition was shown to the nation on Tuesday night and their startling performances gained them a place in the last 20.

Ted's musical leanings began as a six-year-old when he took to the stage to sing Away in a Manger for a school Nativity play.

It was his first solo performance and it instilled a burning desire to sing.

But he admits he had not got a clue what to expect when he sent Channel 4 a tape of him singing on a building site rooftop.

"I had no idea what they were after. I couldn't decide if it was worth me applying and I sent my tape more or less on the deadline day. When I didn't hear anything for a couple of months I sort of gave up hope."

George had similar fears. His singing teacher sent off for an application form for the show and advised him to apply. For his tape, a friend filmed him singing his own version of The Sound of Music entitled The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Georgie.

"I had no idea if I would get through. The fact my singing teacher thought I was good enough to apply was enough for me."

Neither of the men had experience singing opera although they both had a wide repertoire of musical styles.

Ted was a karaoke king, singing anything from Barry Manilow's Copacabana to Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell.

George was equally at home singing jazz or pop tunes.

Both share a deep-seated desire to sing but neither had the confidence or courage to take the plunge and give up the security of a stable career. Operatunity provided a unique chance for them to live their dreams.

"I know it sounds cheesy but singing is like nothing else in the world to me," said George. "When I sing I get goose bumps. Not because I love the sound of my own voice but because I become part of the music and the music is so beautiful. I just don't get that same buzz from law."

For Ted, who lives in Rudgwick, performing has always come naturally.

"I have always loved performing. Singing has the power to change the way you feel, especially opera because it is so dramatic. I find it a real emotional release.

"I've always wanted the freedom to be able to sing professionally but it's a difficult step to take when you have a wife and kids to think of. At the end of the day I've got bills to pay and food to put on the table."

Ted and George were overwhelmed and terrified to be asked to audition.

Although both have had singing lessons, they had never sung opera in front of such a prestigious audience.

As the pressure mounted in the weeks prior to the big day, they practiced relentlessly.

Ted said: "I would practice any time of the day or night. My family have been very supportive, except for the odd occasion when my kids have had their fingers in their ears at breakfast.

"I always practice at work anyway, so the guys are very used to it. They even bought me a Russell Watson CD for Christmas.

"I've always had a lot of self-belief but I had no idea what other people would be like or what to expect, so I was quite nervous."

Among those sitting on the panel judging their every note were English National Opera's head of music Anthony Legge and music director Paul Daniel, opera singer Mary King and EMI's chief producer John Fraser.

The audition, held in Spring last year, brought together singers of all ages and from all walks of life.

Ted sang Puccini's Amor Ti Vieta and his powerful voice earned him the praise of the panel. He was also given some helpful tips.

"I told them I wanted to learn how to sing quieter so they gave me some advice on how to soften my voice. By the end of the day I was exhausted."

George was the last in his group to be auditioned and was a nervous wreck.

"To me it was a bonus to be in the last 100. I was worried the panel would shout me down like in Pop Idol but instead, they were really encouraging. Everyone else was just as nervous as I was, which made it a lot easier. But I still felt my performance was mediocre."

The men cannot reveal if they made it through to the next round of the show but promise plenty more surprises are in store for Tuesday's episode, which will see them complete an intensive weekend of masterclasses before performing set pieces for the panel.

Whatever the outcome, it is clear Operatunity has left its mark on their lives.

George is preparing to star as the lead in La Traviata in Southwick with Music Theatre 2000.

He said: "I have not been approached by anybody since doing the show but that doesn't concern me. The truth is, I'm just going to coast through life as I did before. If I'm offered something it will be a blessing and a gift I will receive wholeheartedly."

Ted has already appeared on several talk shows, including Richard and Judy, to promote the show and can finally envisage his life as a singer.

He said: "Being on the show has made me even more determined than I was before and things are certainly looking up now.

"Although I'm still doing the building work, I'm following up every lead. I want to give the singing 100 per cent.

"You never know, I could have my first album out by Christmas."

Operatunity will be screened on Channel 4 at 9pm on Tuesday when the 20 will become six.

The winner will be singing on stage at the London Coliseum on March 1.