Gareth Malone is preparing to debut a brand new look, in line with his brand new show that debuts on Saturday evening.
The new co-host of singing show ‘Pitch Battle’ will be appearing without his customary neckwear, much to his delight.
He tells Radio Times: “There is no bow tie! The bow tie is dead!”
‘Pitch Battle’, hosted by Mel Giedroyc, sees six groups competing with a catalogue of show-stopping numbers, before taking part in riff-offs, then a solo round, with choral backing.
Gareth, who has played his part in making choral singing as popular for the nation as baking and ballroom dancing, will be on duty as a judge, along with Kelis, but he rejects any idea that he will be a new version of Simon Cowell, explaining:
“It’s just about musical performance. It’s not a popularity contest. We don’t have our own acts.”
Instead, Gareth is confident that, despite its competitive element, the show promises to do something brand new for weekend TV audiences:
“I will be giving proper feedback, using technical terms, talking about dynamics and choral support. What Strictly does for dance, we will do for music and I can hand-on-heart say that that hasn’t happened on a Saturday-night music entertainment show before.”
And it will be great for competitors too:
“Performing is scary and exciting. You produce your best work on the stage.
“Yes, this is a competition, but we’re also making something to entertain. It’s a jolly, upbeat show in what is really quite a bleak time.”
‘Pitch Battle’ begins on Saturday evening at 7.30pm on BBC One. Read the full interview in next week’s Radio Times, on sale now.