THE acclaimed Farnham Youth Choir showed the nation what they are made of on Saturday, performing at one of the biggest live televised events of the year as part of the live final of ITV’s The X Factor at Wembley Arena.

Forty young choir members, aged 11 to 18, sang alongside finalist Scarlett Lee as she performed Sir Elton John’s Your Song; also featured in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert and popularised by Ewan McGregor in the Baz Luhrmann film, Moulin Rouge.

With only 24 hours’ notice, FYC’s senior choir raced to join forces with Thames TV, recording a full studio version of the performance at Metropolis Studios, Chiswick.

The following day, on Saturday, the choir piled on to a coach for Wembley Arena, rehearsing during the day and singing in the live final at 7.30pm.

Performing as part of the first hour-long series finale, FYC shared the billing with the contestants, series judge Robbie Williams, global superstar George Ezra, Emile Sande and former X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

Despite the watchful gaze of the series judges and music business supremo Simon Cowell, the choir’s performance lit up the arena.

Choir member Elliott Keys, 11, who only joined the choir this year, said: "This is such a surreal experience, standing on the X-factor stage was breath-taking."

For nearly 40 years Farnham Youth Choir have performed at the highest levels of choral excellence, singing at both The Vatican and Notre Dame in the past two years. FYC will be entering the Grand Prix of Nations & European Choir Games in Gothenburg in August 2019.

Founded by David and Gillian Victor-Smith, FYC’s choirs continue to provide opportunities to inspire talented young singers from across Surrey and Hampshire under musical director, Joanna Tomlinson.

FYC’s senior, as well as junior, training, and alumni choirs will perform its annual gala Christmas concert at the Farnham Maltings on Saturday, December 15, as well as at the Farnham Civic Carol Concert at St Andrew’s Church on Thursday, December 13.

For more information see the choir’s website www.fyc.org.uk .

See next week’s Herald for more coverage of FYC’s big night at Wembley, on sale Thursday...