0:00:02 > 0:00:05Ten children teased for their love of singing...
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- Bullies laughed at me.- ..face the toughest challenge of their lives...
0:00:09 > 0:00:12The difference between being perfect and messing it up is small.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15..singing to the nation on Children In Need night.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Reality's finally hit me, and I am so nervous right now.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Today, we see exactly how they found the courage.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- I can't believe we're here! - I can't wait. I'm buzzing!
0:00:25 > 0:00:28And how it changed their lives for ever.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30I'm never going to forget this.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32This is The Big Performance 2.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Earlier this year,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00top choir master Gareth Malone put the call out to find
0:01:00 > 0:01:05British children who loved singing, but were too scared to do it.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08What are you worried about? What's going to happen?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12After touring the country, he found the Big Performance ten.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15He spent the past 11 weeks transforming these bullied children
0:01:15 > 0:01:17into confident performers...
0:01:19 > 0:01:24..taking them through a series of daunting challenges.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27They have travelled around the UK onboard their luxury tour bus.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- This is going to be our new home! - It hasn't all been an easy ride.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34He's got a really nice voice.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- And with the help from celebrity friends...- Hi, guys.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Good luck, have fun.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40..one by one, they faced their fears
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and competed for the Children In Need solo spot.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46I really want it badly.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54It all started at BBC TV Centre, the very place where Gareth
0:01:54 > 0:01:58and the group would return for their final big performance.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02You are going to be performing in front of the whole nation live
0:02:02 > 0:02:07on television for BBC's Children In Need.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'When I first told the group what they would be doing and how big'
0:02:11 > 0:02:15the challenge was, I just felt like they didn't believe they could do it.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19It was so scary, I couldn't perform in front of my mum.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22I just didn't know how I could do it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I was like, "Yeah, you keep your fingers crossed!"
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- I didn't think I was going to do it! - You are, at the moment,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31quite shy, quite nervous, quite scared of singing.
0:02:31 > 0:02:37I'm here because I believe you can do it. Let's get ready to sing.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40It was at that first rehearsal when Gareth realised
0:02:40 > 0:02:42just how frightened of singing they really were.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44And, go!
0:02:49 > 0:02:51FAINT SINGING
0:02:51 > 0:02:54'When we first started singing the Avril Lavigne song,'
0:02:54 > 0:02:56there was no sound. They didn't sing.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00I knew they were shy, but I was shocked by just how shy they were.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Being teased for singing had made them lose all self-belief.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Just getting the group to make a sound would be a challenge.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09'We were all very shy,'
0:03:09 > 0:03:13and we didn't even want to sing in front of our mum and dad.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16But Gareth needed them to lead a nationwide choir
0:03:16 > 0:03:19on Children In Need, and that wasn't all.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23I think it's really important that we start the song with a soloist.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Who feels like they could do a solo in front of the nation? No?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- I think I would stumble when I'm singing.- I'd just freeze.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35The soloist's job is so important,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38because they're leading the group and starting the whole thing.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42That's vital. At that point, I didn't think any of them could do it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46# Keep holding on... #
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I don't think anyone was hoping to actually get it.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51They were hoping to not get it!
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Despite their reluctance, each of them
0:03:53 > 0:03:56would have to try out for the job over the next ten weeks.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59To ease them in, Gareth set their first performance challenge -
0:03:59 > 0:04:03singing karaoke duets in front of each other.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The karaoke challenge was their first step to overcoming
0:04:06 > 0:04:10the fear that they had because they had been bullied.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- My heart is beating really fast. - My stomach feels like I'm sick,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16I'm that scared.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20This fearful group had been bullied into silence.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23For some, singing in front of each other would be a big ask.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26# We're breaking free!
0:04:26 > 0:04:28# Flying
0:04:28 > 0:04:33# There's not a story in heaven that we... #
0:04:33 > 0:04:37For others, near impossible.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Are you OK, Joan? Are you all right? It's all right.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45SOBBING It's OK, it's OK.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50I felt really scared, because I just felt like I couldn't do it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52For most people, singing karaoke is easy.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55But because they've been bullied, for these guys, it's a huge deal.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58In order to get them ready for their solo spot, each week,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Gareth gave them some one-to-one training where he discovered
0:05:02 > 0:05:04the full extent of their fears.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07What are you worried is going to happen if you stand up
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- and sing confidently? - People might laugh at me.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- Why would they laugh at you?- I don't know. They might think I'm rubbish.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Do you think you're rubbish?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Do you?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27That is really the nub of why you are not standing up tall,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and why you're not singing confidently.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Molly had been teased so severely,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36she could barely look anyone in the eye.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41You're quite shy, aren't you? Quite a nervous person.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Are you like this all the time, or is it just around singing?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's like, people have said horrible comments.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Oh, that is dreadful.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54So Gareth set her a challenge
0:05:54 > 0:05:57to help her engage with her audience and boost her self-esteem.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03I thought it was going to be people, but it was dogs.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07I might have felt a bit silly, but I think it did help.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It was a bit of a gamble, getting the dogs in for Molly to sing.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14But it paid off, because she started to come out from behind her fringe
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and make eye contact with her audience.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Gareth's plan had worked, and Molly was able to put her fears behind her
0:06:20 > 0:06:24and sing solo in the group's debut public performance.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28# I'll sing it one last time for you... #
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'I was pretty scared, and I think everybody else was,'
0:06:31 > 0:06:33cos it was our first performance.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It's so hard to be the first person to do the solo.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39She set the benchmark. After that, no-one could opt out.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42If Molly did a job like that, everyone else had to.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47Facing up to her bullied past gave Molly the confidence to sing.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Molly, everyone!
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Gareth hoped if the group could share their insecurities,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54they would all find the strength.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57When you get bullied, you believe them.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00I had it at school as well, in year eight and nine.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It is really horrible. So this is something we can all relate to.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'It was a turning point,'
0:07:06 > 0:07:09because I felt more free and I can express myself more now.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Has everyone had experience of bullying? Yes?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- What about you, Mohammed? - Primary school.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- What about you, Michael?- Primary. - This is a really common experience.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23We're going to turn it into something positive, make it into a song.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26In week four, we wrote our own song about bullying.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28All of them had a shared experience.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30They needed to talk about it, to get it out.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Singing is a great way to do that.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35That makes sense, doesn't it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- All those in favour? - Hurray, we got the chorus!
0:07:38 > 0:07:42This song was set to become Taylor's solo challenge
0:07:42 > 0:07:46during their first ever performance live on radio.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49They felt good about it, they were delighted to have written this song,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and wanted the world to know.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- # It's about being me - It's about being me
0:07:56 > 0:08:01# It's about being me
0:08:01 > 0:08:06# It's about being me. #
0:08:11 > 0:08:16To sing our song about bullying sent a really strong message -
0:08:16 > 0:08:17you're not alone.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Taylor had a tough challenge, singing live on radio with a song
0:08:21 > 0:08:23they had only just finished writing.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Very difficult. He did a really good job.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32With each new week came a new style of music, and Gareth kept the group
0:08:32 > 0:08:36guessing on what it was with his interesting choice of clothes.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Gareth is wearing a mysterious outfit.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43The music style could be some sort of Spanish, Italian song?
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- I reckon it will be a kind of rap. - This is not a hip-hop outfit.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- All right?- Reggae? I don't know, really.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54I thought they were really obvious, but every week
0:08:54 > 0:08:59they thought it was rap music, or something completely random.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03# Well, it's a one for the money Two for the show... #
0:09:04 > 0:09:08It's rock'n'roll week! Power ballad. Boy bands and girl bands.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10SQUEALING
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Surf rock.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Folk week.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20It's Welsh choral music.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28What? It's going to be great!
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I wanted a good range. It's no good just being able to do one thing.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33To have experience,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36you need to sing as many different styles of music as possible.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39My favourite style was folk.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42We performed at a festival.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47My favourite was British soul because it had Dionne Bromfield.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50She is one of my favourite singers and she has an amazing voice.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51To help inspire them,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55each week there was a special visit from a celebrity guest.
0:09:55 > 0:10:04# You're staring at your phone all day waiting for a text to come
0:10:05 > 0:10:10# From a boy that barely knows your name
0:10:10 > 0:10:13# But you think that he's the one. #
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It was amazing for Dionne Bromfield to actually come down.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Everybody loved it, and I did, especially.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24In week seven, Rizzle Kicks checked in with the group
0:10:24 > 0:10:26to give essential performance advice.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30You've got to show them you know exactly what you're doing
0:10:30 > 0:10:31and that you're enjoying yourself.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Then, believe me, they will love it. - Meeting Rizzle Kicks really helped.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39They were giving us tips on how to perform.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I say to the group, "Do it like this". They don't believe me.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45A special guest comes and says exactly the same thing,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and then it's, "Oh, yes, we must do it like this".
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Do you know how annoying it is?
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Throughout this musical tour,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57there's been one area that the group have struggled with every week.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01# Colours of the world, spice up your life! People in the world... #
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Oh, I keep forgetting the words.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Oh, no!
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Words, words, words. "What's the word?"
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Drove me absolutely mad.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25Hi, my name is Sasha and I'm 12 years old.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Um...
0:11:26 > 0:11:30But there is one person who has managed to wing it every time -
0:11:30 > 0:11:33through the presenting challenge...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36You always forget this stuff, don't you? Just go blank on TV.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39..and his rock'n'roll dance.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44'I think my improvising has got me out of a few tricky spots.'
0:11:44 > 0:11:47When we were doing the dancing, I just forgot it completely
0:11:47 > 0:11:51and did a little chicken or something.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53At first, I was impressed at Michael having styled it out
0:11:53 > 0:11:57when he made a mistake. I started to worry
0:11:57 > 0:11:59when he just lost the words in his solo.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01"Surfing, surfing, surfing, something about surfing."
0:12:01 > 0:12:04# Surfing, surfing, surfing, surfing... #
0:12:04 > 0:12:07HE MUMBLES
0:12:07 > 0:12:09# Surfing USA. #
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Michael stumbled over the lyrics, but he wasn't the only one.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17# ..Our surf boards... #
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The words were quite tricky because it was about bushy blonde hair-dos,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24and everything, and all-American style.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26It was really difficult to learn.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30As Children In Need edged closer, things still weren't improving.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32THEY MUMBLE
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Oops! Oh, dear.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40By the time we got to week eight,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44and they still didn't know their words, I found it really worrying.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47By week nine, Gareth seriously doubted whether they could lead
0:12:47 > 0:12:51each other to success, let alone a nationwide choir.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55I want you to look good, I don't want you to stand there,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57live, going... Looking at the ceiling.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01The girls simply didn't know their words and kept getting distracted.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06I couldn't afford for that to happen in front of live TV cameras.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Very worrying.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Having the bigger performances was harder to remember the words we were
0:13:12 > 0:13:17doing, because obviously we were focusing on the bigger audience.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19In the rehearsals, people were forgetting words.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I thought, oh no, we're going to go down
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and it's all going to be messed up.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33I'd been saying every single week, you must learn your words.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Finally, it clicked.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40THEY SING IN WELSH
0:13:40 > 0:13:42CHEERING
0:13:47 > 0:13:50As they travelled the country on their musical tour,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54it didn't take long for friendships within the group to blossom.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Michael fancies Jo. I shouldn't be telling people this.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03- Don't put that on camera! He fancies Imogen.- No. Taylor fancies Tia.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Well, one day he says, "Oh, I really love Sasha".
0:14:07 > 0:14:10The next day, "I'm going to ask Tia".
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Then, the third day - "I like Sasha again".
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I think you'll find I like Sasha.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20And then James came. That was a dilemma in my plan!
0:14:20 > 0:14:24I was just so devastated that I wasn't the only one liking her.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28I think there is a little romance growing between Sasha and James.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Sasha and James fancy each other.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34At first, James was telling me he liked Sasha
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and Sasha was saying, "I can't believe that, can I?"
0:14:37 > 0:14:40After becoming close in the karaoke challenge,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43the bond between Sasha and James grew.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46It was just a little bit embarrassing to look back on it
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and see it on telly, Sasha and me, romance. I think there
0:14:49 > 0:14:55were a ton of laughs in school, but I think it's settled down.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Sasha and James clearly had a really strong bond,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and I think that was good for them,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03because they supported each other. James was quite nervous,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06but Sasha was the most nervous one in the group.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11Sasha's severe stage fright saw her giggling and shaking uncontrollably.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14When I was singing, it felt really good,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18and then it just sort of got to me that I was singing. Just, boom!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21When Sasha performed in front of the school rounders team
0:15:21 > 0:15:24for her solo challenge, she crumbled.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Look straight ahead. Let's go for it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'Going in there and seeing them all, it really just panicked me.'
0:15:30 > 0:15:33I couldn't remember the tune or anything like that,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and then I got really emotional because I couldn't do it.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39# This isn't wearing the...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42# There are just some... #
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Keep going.- You're doing great!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It took so much for Sasha to sing in front of her rounders team.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53You could see the fear. But the fact she did it was so significant.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54It was a major breakthrough.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58# Everybody be surfing like Californ-I-A
0:15:58 > 0:16:02# You see them wearing their baggies... #
0:16:02 > 0:16:06I wanted to get into it and show everybody that I can actually
0:16:06 > 0:16:10do it, and try and do my best for the solo spot at the end.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Definitely think I can control my giggling now.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Are you still going out with James?
0:16:17 > 0:16:19SHE GIGGLES
0:16:24 > 0:16:26The solo challenges were testing for everyone,
0:16:26 > 0:16:31but Gareth needed the group to face their fears head on
0:16:31 > 0:16:35if they were to stand any chance of securing the solo spot.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39The solo challenges are a challenge. It's very difficult to watch them
0:16:39 > 0:16:42getting so upset, because I feel responsible, but ultimately,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I know it is the best way to lead them out of this fear.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49# We've come so far And we come... #
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Can we start again?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54When Gareth asked Mohammed to sing to his mum,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- he became so overwhelmed he broke down.- I can't do it.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It's all right. Yeah, you can.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02'I think it was just an emotional thing, in front of my mum.'
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I wanted to make her proud.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06I think that's why I messed up a little bit -
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I was focusing on doing good, not the song.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12I'm serious, you've got a really nice voice. What's the matter?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14But he wasn't the only emotional one.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16From the start, Joan had been reduced to tears
0:17:16 > 0:17:19at the thought of performing.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- What are you worried about? - I don't know.- No, I don't either.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It's going to be OK.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27When I used to sing, I would always break down into tears.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Now, I feel so much better, because I still get the occasional nerves,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35but, you know, that's a good thing.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Here we go.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41When Charlize had to sing for her new school friends,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44she nearly didn't make it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46# They want to throw a party in the county jail
0:17:46 > 0:17:49# The prison band was there and they began to wail
0:17:49 > 0:17:52# The band was jumping and the joint began to swing
0:17:52 > 0:17:56# You should have heard this knocked-out jailbird sing let's rock
0:17:56 > 0:17:58# Everybody, let's rock. #
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Do you want to give her a hug or something?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06'When I did my solo in front of my friends, it was really scary.'
0:18:06 > 0:18:09But they were really nice to me and encouraged me to pull through.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I owe it to them to give them a great performance.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16# I dare you to let me be, oh
0:18:18 > 0:18:21# You wanna know me... #
0:18:21 > 0:18:25But halfway through the musical tour came a breakthrough.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28I think week six was the turning point, when we sang
0:18:28 > 0:18:31at the wedding, because they didn't cry, but the bride did.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33That, for me, was a great victory.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36# Promise I'm worth it. #
0:18:38 > 0:18:42When the bride cried in my solo performance,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I felt really happy, because she was crying in happiness.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46I think we made her day.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Everybody knew it was a big deal to sing at a wedding.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52We were creating memories that were going to last ever.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53I was really proud of them.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00By week nine, most of the group were getting into their groove,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03but Tia had yet to do her solo challenge.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07This is the moment. Here we go. Here's the introduction.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- No? OK.- It's too high. - Well, the first phrase isn't.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23From day one, she'd barely uttered a sound.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Can't do it? OK. Sit down. 'I was really concerned about her.'
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Because in week three, with rock'n'roll, she had
0:19:35 > 0:19:39a moment of complete meltdown, and I thought she might walk off.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45How are you doing? You don't want to do it? Oh, dear.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49This is what it's all about. It really is.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52This is what the big performance is.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56It's about you getting over this fear.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I'm really scared of singing in front of people.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02I really don't like it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Tia hid behind the group, and I'd not heard her sing,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09and that worried me because she had the biggest solo challenge coming up.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- I sound stupid. - You don't sound stupid.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14I promise you faithfully that if you go for this,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16you will only get respect from people.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21Come on, make Wales proud. Let's do it.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27# Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee
0:20:27 > 0:20:32# Ar hyd y nos. #
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I think what made it click for Tia, finally,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38was finding that pride in her Welsh roots.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41She didn't want to let her family down, but most of all,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44she didn't want to let Wales down.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Having the biggest solo was really scary.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50When it was live, I thought, oh, no, I'm going to mess up.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54But I thought, think positive and you'll get through it.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55It was really fun in the end.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59# Sleep my child and peace attend thee
0:20:59 > 0:21:02# Ar hyd y nos. #
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I was so happy when Tia sang in front of that audience,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10because I thought she might be the first to fail, and she didn't,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13she really rose to the challenge.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I was so proud of myself because I got over that fear
0:21:15 > 0:21:17of singing in front of people.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20I knocked down a wall that was blocking me.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23My mum and my nan and dad were proud of me.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It wasn't just in singing that Gareth wanted the group to improve.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Each week he tested their nerve in a variety of different challenges.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Singing can improve your general confidence,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41but also having confidence improves your singing.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45So doing other things, things that are fun,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47and just bring you up, are really useful.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50It was so fun, I've never had such a thrill before.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54I didn't make them do anything that I wasn't prepared to do - even surfing.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I had a go.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Gareth leading by example helped to put the group at ease.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Having tested their mettle for weeks,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Gareth wanted to prove to the group how far they'd come.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I want you to write one word on these T-shirts.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15And I want that word to be the one thing
0:22:15 > 0:22:18that you really didn't like about yourself.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Parading through the streets of Cardiff meant they'd finally
0:22:22 > 0:22:24faced up to their insecurities.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27The T-shirt challenge was one of my favourite challenges -
0:22:27 > 0:22:30we got to let out, leave our worries behind, not care
0:22:30 > 0:22:34what anyone else thinks, just show people, this is what I am.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Tiger!- Geek!- Singer!- Small!
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Cute and cuddly!- Posh!- Geek!
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- Ginger!- Different!- Freak!
0:22:43 > 0:22:46At the end of it, we were proud to wear it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50And we were more confident, and we didn't care what people said.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Different!- Singer!- Geek!- 'T-shirt time made everyone think,'
0:22:54 > 0:22:57I am who I am. I accept me for who I am, basically.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'For these guys to talk about being bullied is difficult.'
0:23:00 > 0:23:04That T-shirt challenge really proved to me that they had moved on
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and gained confidence. That is ultimately what this is about,
0:23:07 > 0:23:08not just singing.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12It is about giving confidence back to young people.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Throughout the tour, Gareth was assessing each member
0:23:20 > 0:23:23for the all important solo spot at Children In Need.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28I don't think I need to tell you how big the performance is.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30But only one would be chosen
0:23:30 > 0:23:33to kick off the 3,000-strong nationwide choir.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It wasn't an easy decision to make.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39It eventually came down to Joan and James.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Ultimately, this has to be about quality.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- For me, that means it's those two. - I would agree.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51# You're not alone Together we stand
0:23:51 > 0:23:55# I'll be by your side You know I'll take your hand
0:23:55 > 0:23:59# When it gets cold and feels like the end, there's no place to go
0:23:59 > 0:24:02# You know I won't give in
0:24:04 > 0:24:07# No, I won't give in. #
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Making it to the final two of the solo spot was really...
0:24:16 > 0:24:19There was tension, literally.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Tension everywhere.
0:24:22 > 0:24:28The person singing solo live on Children In Need is...
0:24:30 > 0:24:32..James.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36When Gareth said I finally got the solo for Children In Need,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I didn't know what to do, I was so happy.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42I chose James for the solo because he has a great voice,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45he sings very musically, and I think he's got the confidence.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48I saw that when he was in front of 3,000 people.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50This boy can do it.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Being the soloist not only meant leading the group, but also leading
0:24:54 > 0:24:57a nationwide choir singing live via satellite on Children In Need.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Here is your host, Sir Terry Wogan!
0:25:01 > 0:25:02When the moment arrived,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Gareth needed to keep old emotions at bay
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and help the group stay focused.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Let's make tonight the one that really counts.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14A personal message from superstar song writer Avril Lavigne
0:25:14 > 0:25:16helped give the group an extra boost.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Hey, guys. Good luck to all of you.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21After weeks of hard work,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23and with their parents watching back stage,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27the group were seconds away from their big performance.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30All these weeks that we've been working so hard,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32and it's going to come down to this.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37This year, Gareth Malone has stepped up his toughest challenge yet.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39The difference between doing it perfectly
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and between messing it up is that small,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45so I just really hope it goes the right way.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54# You're not alone together we stand
0:25:54 > 0:26:00# I'll be by your side You know I'll take your hand... #
0:26:00 > 0:26:05I'm just so happy I managed to have that opportunity. It's just amazing.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09# Keep holding on
0:26:09 > 0:26:13# We're gonna make it through Make it through. #
0:26:13 > 0:26:15This experience has changed me
0:26:15 > 0:26:18in a way that I really wouldn't have imagined.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24I feel open and free, if you know what I mean.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Like I can stand up and sparkle.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32# Keep on, keep holding on. #
0:26:32 > 0:26:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:42 > 0:26:46The people that walked out of Television Centre
0:26:46 > 0:26:49are not the same people who walked in. They are more confident,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52they sing better, they have found a new sense of self.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56And I am proud of them, because I know how hard it was,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59it has been a long, tough journey, but look at them now.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04'It makes me feel amazing.'
0:27:04 > 0:27:08I think it's going to be a big part of my life now.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It feels good to let my voice out and show people,
0:27:11 > 0:27:12this is my voice, hear me now.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16If I could say anything to Gareth, I would say, thank you.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18We could not have done it without him.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I love doing what I do, because I get to help people find confidence.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Singing can do that for you,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26and singing has changed these children's lives.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29I'm more willing to put myself forward for things.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34I've changed from being really quiet to pretty confident.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I feel more alive now because I've done this show.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Having this opportunity has been one of the best things
0:27:40 > 0:27:43that has happened in my life. I'm not going to forget this.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk