The musical heritage of Yorkshire is deep and wide.

'Sweeney Todd' is my favorite Sondheim musical.

Opera is credible drama now, and it costs less than going to a football match. What have you got to lose?

Nobody inspired me more than Julie Andrews, who is a classically trained soprano herself.

That was when I realised that music is the most profound, magical form of communication there is.

It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol have encouraged that.