Choir master Gareth Malone impressed by Severn Trent staff's TV debut

Water company workers Mick Sneath and Jamie Turner hit the right notes with their singing debuts on television.

The Severn Trent Water employees were dreading seeing themselves in the latest episode in the BBC 2 series, The Choir: Sing While You Work.

But choral maestro Gareth Malone said he was "really impressed" with their performances on Thursday.

They featured in the mixed choir of Severn Trent employees who sang Proud Mary and Queen and David Bowie's Under Pressure.

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Mick, 49, is a member of the choir's bass section and he watched the episode at his Oadby home with his family.

He said: "I was really nervous, much more than when we did our first performances in front of our colleagues. I was very pleased at how we came across and the sound we made.

"It was also good to hear the complimentary comments from Gareth."

Gareth, who made his TV debut setting up a choir at Lancaster Boys' School, Leicester, returned to the city in the search for singers to represent Severn Trent.

He also has set up choirs at Lewisham Hospital Trust, Manchester Airport and Bristol Royal Mail.

They will compete in the final two episodes to find the series winner.

After Thursday's show, Mick said: "I was recognised during the drive to work in Leicester on Friday morning. A bloke in a van slowed down and said he hoped we win the competition."

To prepare for the series, Gareth held auditions at Severn Trent, including sessions at the Leicester Water Centre, in Anstey Lane.

From hundreds of hopefuls from across the Midlands, he whittled the choir down to 30 singers.

Mick, a distribution services technician, was one of three Leicestershire men selected.

Workmate Jamie Turner, who fixes water leaks, did not make the initial line up, but he was drafted in when another singer had to pull out.

Jamie, 22, who is also plays rugby for Birstall, said: "I popped into the club for a quick pint on Thursday and was greeted by 30 of my mates all wearing masks of my face.

"I stayed and watched the programme with them. It was a bit of a party.

"I was really pleased how we looked and sounded and my mates were very complimentary. I think I might have to lead the singing in the bath after matches from now on."

Jamie, of Thurcaston, was featured auditioning for a solo spot in Under Pressure.

He did not get the spot but Gareth said he was really impressed with his "robust singing voice."

Both men are sworn to secrecy over the result of the competition. However, one of the three judges, conductor Manvinder Rattan, dropped in unannounced to see them perform.

Mr Rattan said he was impressed with their "committed approach".

Gareth said the choir had done well preparing for the competition but there was still more work to do.

On Thursday, at 9pm, the Severn Trent Choir will take on the other three choirs for a place in the final.