0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Christ Church, Spitalfields,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07in the East End of London, a place of worship for nearly 300 years.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It's witnessed a variety of music
0:00:09 > 0:00:11from pop concerts to classical recitals.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Now the Songs Of Praise team is setting up a stage
0:00:15 > 0:00:19for an artist with a rich and varied career.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21# Sha-la-la-la La-la-la-la... #
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Tony Christie has been having hits for almost 40 years.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Famous for songs such as Is This the Way to Amarillo?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29and Avenues And Alleyways,
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Tony's been described as having
0:00:31 > 0:00:34one of Britain's most revered voices.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36'Tony has a timeless voice.'
0:00:36 > 0:00:38If he has a song that tells a story,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40there's no-one better, really.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43I think, actually, I heard him recently,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46and I think the older he gets, the better the voice is.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54In this week's special Songs Of Praise,
0:00:54 > 0:00:59Tony talks to me about his faith and how he believes angels guide him.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03He goes back to his first church and his musical roots.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07And he performs some favourite hymns and brand-new songs.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Well, as you can see, we've got our congregation,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19we have our wonderful musicians -
0:01:19 > 0:01:21all that's missing is the man himself.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Tony Christie!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I think it's fair to say they love you.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40One of the world's greatest singers -
0:01:40 > 0:01:42this is going to be brilliant.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Oh, thank you. I thought it was only me that said that! No?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46No, I think everyone agrees. Don't you?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- CONGREGATION:- Yes!
0:01:48 > 0:01:49What I'm really excited about is
0:01:49 > 0:01:51that you've chosen the music this evening.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53We're going to start with a great hymn -
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56Why have you chosen that one?
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Because it makes me happy and makes me want to smile.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Let's smile and sing, ladies and gentlemen.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18# Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven
0:02:18 > 0:02:23# To his feet thy tribute bring
0:02:23 > 0:02:25# Ransomed, healed
0:02:25 > 0:02:28# Restored, forgiven
0:02:28 > 0:02:33# Who like me his praise should sing
0:02:33 > 0:02:36# Praise him, praise him
0:02:36 > 0:02:38# Praise him, praise him
0:02:38 > 0:02:45# Praise the everlasting King
0:03:57 > 0:04:00APPLAUSE
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Well done.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Well, this is a rare treat - an opportunity to chat to you.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15I know you're very private.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17What I've never understood is...
0:04:17 > 0:04:20how can someone so shy stand up in front of thousands of people?
0:04:20 > 0:04:24It's a thing I've had to fight all my life,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26to be honest with you, Aled.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I mean, really, really, very badly shy.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I think, in a way, it's held me back career-wise.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The fact that I...I couldn't look people in the face.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I couldn't be in a crowd.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I couldn't bear to do autographs and all that kind of thing.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Are you a different person when you're up there, then?
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Yeah, I'm two people.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48On stage, I'm a person called Tony Christie
0:04:48 > 0:04:53and when I get off the stage, then I become Tony Fitzgerald,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56which is my real name. It's just like acting, basically.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Is it still enjoyable for you, though, when you're on stage? - I love it.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Music...I mean, music is what I live for.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05It's in me, it's in my hard drive.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06I can't get away from it.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09All I ever wanted to do, even from being a little kid at school,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I thought, "Well, what good is learning?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14"Maths, English - it's no good to me.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16"I'm going to be a singer when I'm a man."
0:05:16 > 0:05:19And so that's all I ever wanted to be - a singer.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I know you sang recently in Lichfield Cathedral.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24That must have been a wonderful experience
0:05:24 > 0:05:27cos I know that both your grandsons were in the choir there,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- weren't they? - They were choristers there, yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30So what was that like?
0:05:30 > 0:05:34A great friend of ours died, and they had a mass,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36there at the cathedral.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37And I said,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41"Can I...do you mind if I sing a song in the middle of the mass?"
0:05:41 > 0:05:43And they said, "No." You know? So...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47And I sang a Chopin piece called So Deep Is The Night
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- or Tristesse - the classical title...- Mm-hm.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53..just my piano player and myself.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55And I stood there and sang it
0:05:55 > 0:05:57with tears rolling down my face.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01But that was a thrill, I mean, the huge cathedral. It was fantastic.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03And when you sing in a cathedral or a church,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05do you feel you have, through the music,
0:06:05 > 0:06:06- a connection with God? - Oh, absolutely.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Absolutely. You're standing... Any church you're walking in...
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Whenever my wife and I are away, anywhere, we always find a church,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16go and sit down.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17And it's like a miracle,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20because you walk through a church door, and it's peaceful,
0:06:20 > 0:06:21and you just...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23What we normally do is go to the altar
0:06:23 > 0:06:27and we get a candle and just light a candle for whatever
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and spend ten minutes just sitting peacefully, looking round.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I think we should hear you perform some music again.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37And this is a nice link, really, because you've had so many
0:06:37 > 0:06:40great songwriters want to write music especially for you,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and that's what we've got here now, isn't it?
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Yeah, I worked on an album in Nashville.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47About four or five of the songs were written for me
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- by Graham Gouldman from 10CC.- Right.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54This one is almost like an anthem, basically.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59The words are very apt for singing in a church, actually.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Brilliant.- I'd like to perform it for you.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- You go and get yourself ready. - Thank you.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Well, I can't wait to hear this. Can you?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07With our band and string section,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10this is Tony Christie and You Are My Lifeline.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34# I've been going down a rocky road
0:07:36 > 0:07:39# It was taking me away
0:07:41 > 0:07:45# I was never good in stormy seas
0:07:45 > 0:07:50# So I began to pray
0:07:50 > 0:07:53# Help me find a brand-new day
0:07:53 > 0:07:58# All I needed was a helping hand
0:07:58 > 0:08:02# Guiding me through thick and thin
0:08:03 > 0:08:07# You took me to the promised land
0:08:07 > 0:08:11# I knew you'd let me in
0:08:13 > 0:08:16# You are my lifeline
0:08:17 > 0:08:21# You are my soul
0:08:22 > 0:08:26# You are my angel
0:08:26 > 0:08:31# Let the angels take control
0:08:32 > 0:08:36# I was thinking as the sun came up
0:08:37 > 0:08:40# 'Bout all my crazy schemes
0:08:42 > 0:08:46# Now I'm sipping from a loving cup
0:08:46 > 0:08:51# It's time to live our dreams
0:08:51 > 0:08:55# You are my lifeline
0:08:56 > 0:09:00# You are my soul
0:09:01 > 0:09:05# You are my angel
0:09:05 > 0:09:09# Let the angels take control
0:09:11 > 0:09:14# From the outside looking in
0:09:14 > 0:09:19# Are the planets all in line?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24# For my world was in a spin
0:09:24 > 0:09:28# I was running out of time
0:09:29 > 0:09:32# Running out of time
0:09:32 > 0:09:36# You are my lifeline
0:09:37 > 0:09:40# You are my soul
0:09:42 > 0:09:45# You are my angel
0:09:45 > 0:09:49# Let the angels take control
0:09:49 > 0:09:54# You are my lifeline
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- # You are my soul - # You are my soul
0:09:58 > 0:10:02# You are my angel
0:10:02 > 0:10:08# Let the angels take control
0:10:08 > 0:10:15# Mm-mm-mm-mm. #
0:10:17 > 0:10:21CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:31 > 0:10:34MUSIC: "Avenues And Alleyways" by Tony Christie
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Tony has come back to the Yorkshire village of Denaby
0:10:40 > 0:10:42to show us his childhood church.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44It's a place where he found his voice.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Wow.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55This brings back a lot of memories! HE CHUCKLES
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I was the product of a Catholic father
0:11:03 > 0:11:05and a Protestant mum.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10So I was actually baptised here when I was a baby,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11about 70 years ago.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I sort of drifted into religion
0:11:15 > 0:11:20because a lot of my friends were members of the parish of this church.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23And we used to have this glee club.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25We used to go and sing different places.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28And they said, "Do you fancy singing in our church choir?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31"Do you know, we could do with a good voice to augment the choir."
0:11:31 > 0:11:32So that's what I did.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38They're much steeper than I remember, those stairs.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Oh, here we are.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42I used to sit at the back.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46This really brings back memories - standing up here.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50To hear the organs start and then when the choir started - bang!
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I was in...literally, in Heaven.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55And of course, because we were at the back of the church,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57we were out of sight, basically.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00So we could wear our normal clothes, you know.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02And in those days, I'd be 16, 17
0:12:02 > 0:12:05and I'd be wearing my Italian suit,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07you know, which was all the rage in those days.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08They're smart, they're still smart.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11HE LAUGHS You see, I'm back in fashion already!
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Ah, Jim!- Nice to see you again, mate.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Jim Beachill worked with Tony when they were teenagers.- 'Tony was...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23'I knew he was singing in the choir at the time and, you know,'
0:12:23 > 0:12:24he used to sing in the office.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26It could be annoying,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29but you could tell very easily he was a very good singer.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- Thank you.- He was good-looking, he's got jet black hair.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Wherever we went, the girls liked him, and this kind of stuff.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36He was a brilliant guy.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38We had some great nights out together.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Amazing. It could be Coronation Street, that. Couldn't it?
0:12:43 > 0:12:44- I know.- I mean, really is.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46To bring back memories for the two old friends,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Jim has brought with him home movies
0:12:48 > 0:12:52of the church's Whitsun processions from the early '60s.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56These processions used to be the highlight
0:12:56 > 0:12:57of several people's year.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Do you know, I know that face, that guy there. I know his face.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- So that statue is THAT statue? - Yeah, that's the one.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07- Is that right?- Yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Great time in my life and I wouldn't swap it for the world.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12The mates were fantastic.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Just one of those happy memories that will stay with me for ever.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22# Amazing Grace
0:13:22 > 0:13:27# How sweet the sound
0:13:27 > 0:13:29# That saved
0:13:29 > 0:13:35# A wretch like me
0:13:37 > 0:13:42# I once was lost
0:13:42 > 0:13:47# But now I'm found
0:13:48 > 0:13:51# Was blind
0:13:51 > 0:13:59# But now I see. #
0:14:01 > 0:14:03The good old days.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12And now, a favourite hymn of Tony's
0:14:12 > 0:14:14that reflects his Irish roots.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16His real name IS Tony Fitzgerald, after all.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18It's called I Cannot Tell.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Well, Tony, there's one to tick off the list.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07Sing a hymn with Tony Christie - tick. Done it!
0:17:07 > 0:17:08- That was brilliant.- Thank you.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It's an interesting choice, as well,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13because there is a mention of angels in it.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16And I know that angels, guardian angels,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18they play a massive role in your life, don't they?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21They do because my wife and I have believed this
0:17:21 > 0:17:24very, very strongly for a long, long time.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28And whenever we've had any problems or troubles
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and we desperately need help, we pray to angels.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37We have at least five different archangels in the house.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41If we pray for well-being it's always to the archangel Michael.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45If we lose anything, like car keys, and you can't find them,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- St Anthony is the one that finds lost property.- Right!
0:17:50 > 0:17:52THEY LAUGH
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And of course to the man who is the boss of them all, of course -
0:17:55 > 0:17:57the big boss. We pray to him as well.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00What do these guardian angels do, then?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Do they help you when you're on stage, singing?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05They can be with you, as they're probably with you now.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Mine is probably standing with me now, and yours is.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12And if you want some help, you've got to say, "Can you help me?"
0:18:12 > 0:18:14One of the most memorable things was
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I was at the Albert Hall, at the end of a very long tour.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20We came to this song which had a big, big note at the end
0:18:20 > 0:18:23and I thought, "I'm never going to make the note and even reach it."
0:18:23 > 0:18:26And during the song, I just started saying, "Please, angels, come on.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30"Please, I'm nearly finished, now. Just get me through this song,
0:18:30 > 0:18:31"and then I'm finished."
0:18:31 > 0:18:34And, my God, I did - I hit that note.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I hit that note better than I've ever hit it.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40And it just came. And that was the angels, definitely.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Do you think that the path you're following
0:18:41 > 0:18:44in your career and your life, do you think it's God's path for you?
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Yeah. I think everybody has a...
0:18:48 > 0:18:53Everybody's life - this is my belief - is mapped out for them.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58And that I am doing exactly wh... what God put me on the earth to do.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01I've tried doing other things, it never works.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I always finish up doing singing.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I'm glad that he's moved you in the direction of music and singing.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08I'm sure we all are, aren't we?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11And you're going to perform All Is Said And Done, next.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13What's the story behind this?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15It's a Graham Gouldman song, of 10CC,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18and he said that he wrote the song...
0:19:18 > 0:19:23he pictured me singing this to my wife.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- So...- That's fantastic. - I think it's absolutely beautiful.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Go and get yourself ready by that mic, where you belong.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- Where I belong! - Take your guardian angel.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- I'll take my mic, as well. - And your mic, yeah - both.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together
0:19:35 > 0:19:38for the one and only Tony Christie, singing All Is Said And Done.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58# The stars begin to fade
0:20:00 > 0:20:05# Day has just begun
0:20:06 > 0:20:09# To be with you
0:20:09 > 0:20:13# Is all I need
0:20:13 > 0:20:18# When all is said and done
0:20:24 > 0:20:29# I remember where we've been
0:20:31 > 0:20:36# I think of where we're going
0:20:37 > 0:20:43# The search for love It drives us on
0:20:43 > 0:20:48# When all is said and done
0:20:55 > 0:21:00# Look towards the inspiration of tomorrow
0:21:01 > 0:21:06# Leave behind the pain of yesterday
0:21:07 > 0:21:13# No regrets about the time we may have lost
0:21:13 > 0:21:20# It's all so far away
0:21:22 > 0:21:27# The lessons we have learned
0:21:28 > 0:21:34# The only thing that matters
0:21:34 > 0:21:41# It's love rules all under the sun
0:21:41 > 0:21:45# When all is said and done
0:21:47 > 0:21:51# Sailing away in a dream
0:21:53 > 0:21:57# Floating along on a bubble
0:21:59 > 0:22:05# Looking around as the world passes by
0:22:05 > 0:22:12# Dipping your toe in the stream
0:22:13 > 0:22:18# The story without end
0:22:20 > 0:22:25# The journey still ongoing
0:22:26 > 0:22:31# It's love that makes the world go round
0:22:31 > 0:22:36# When all is said and done
0:22:38 > 0:22:44# All is said and done
0:22:45 > 0:22:51# Mm-mm-mm-mm. #
0:22:56 > 0:23:00CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:23:09 > 0:23:10Oh, wasn't that great?
0:23:10 > 0:23:12While Tony takes a well-earned break,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15it's the congregation's turn to stretch their vocal cords.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Next is a hymn that encourages us all to do just that.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Alleluya, Sing To Jesus.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Over the years, Tony has acquired some famous fans.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Back in 1976, when Tim Rice
0:25:31 > 0:25:35and Andrew Lloyd Webber recorded the concept album for a brand-new
0:25:35 > 0:25:39musical, Evita, it was Tony they turned to.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44When we wanted someone to sing on the record, the part of Magaldi,
0:25:44 > 0:25:49who is the tango singer, he seemed to be an obvious choice.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51And he was terrific.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54He came in and he sang On This Night Of A Thousand Stars
0:25:54 > 0:25:58and if he has a song that tells a story, there's no-one better really.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Graham Gouldman of 10CC has co-written songs for Tony,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06including two we've heard today.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I can sing, but I've not got a real voice.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12It's kind of old school, in a way.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17His voice, he's got one of those sort of classic voices.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18He's a real singer.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Maybe he's not been given as much credit as he's due,
0:26:22 > 0:26:27but in a way, like Tom Jones, I suppose, he's been rediscovered.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Actually, I heard him recently.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I think the older he gets, the better the voice is.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Right, it's time for that song. CHEERING
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Particularly with Is This The Way To Amarillo?
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Probably he doesn't realise how much people like the song.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44But the audience love it.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47# When the day is dawning... #
0:26:47 > 0:26:52In 2005, at Peter Kay's suggestion, Amarillo became the official
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Comic Relief single, with extraordinary results.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Is This The Way To Amarillo? was
0:26:59 > 0:27:02a ground-breaking experience for us at Comic Relief
0:27:02 > 0:27:05because it went kind of ballistic, really
0:27:05 > 0:27:10and raised over £2 million for the charity, which is unprecedented.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14It helped us buy malaria nets, to deliver inoculations
0:27:14 > 0:27:19and to do wonderful things right across Africa and here in the UK.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21# Dreaming dreams... #
0:27:21 > 0:27:24We can't thank Tony enough for what he did
0:27:24 > 0:27:27by giving us permission to use Amarillo.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31I think Tony has been underrated over the years,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35although now, 40 or so years after he got going, he's regarded
0:27:35 > 0:27:38as pretty cool and is recognised as the great singer he is.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Tony, it's been an absolute delight spending time with you
0:29:39 > 0:29:44- and singing with you. I hope you've enjoyed it.- It's been fantastic.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47We're going to end with one of your favourite hymns, How Great Thou Art.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Why do you love it so much?
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Well, I sang it at my father's funeral 13 years ago
0:29:53 > 0:29:58- and I'd like to sing it again for him, if I can.- Of course you can.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Ladies and gentlemen, Tony Christie.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03APPLAUSE
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Next week, David and Connie face
0:33:15 > 0:33:18climbing the mighty Forth Road suspension bridge,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It's a Scottish special
0:33:22 > 0:33:25as the country enjoys one of its most important years to date.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Connie gives the bagpipes all her puff
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and it's a veritable feast of music from Dunfermline Abbey,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Dunblane Cathedral and beyond.