Most famous for the cult hit Dancing in the Moonlight, Toploader's leading front man and singer / songwriter Joseph is breaking away from rock to try his hand at tenor training - and he's hoping to woo us with his warbling all the way to the top!
Joseph Washbourn admits that whilst it’s tough trying to learn a new singing style, he’s relishing the challenge.
“You’re trying basically to forget everything you’ve spent the previous ten years of you life trying to remember but I think I’m getting a grip on it now a little bit,” says the singer. “It is a completely different style of singing from what I’m used to.”
Having been trained classically at piano, Joe admits this has helped with his awareness of the genre. “I used to train classically at piano and so I would play a lot of that sort of music,” he tells us. “I don’t know if I would call myself an aficionado at it, especially now I’m singing it but I can appreciate how difficult it is.”
Whilst the Toploader front man plans to bring some of his own character to his performances he confesses that he is far from confident.
Joe says, “I wouldn’t say I was confident but I think it’s important to get a bit of your own character in these performances as well. I don’t think anything is to be gained from going in there cocky and doing what someone else has done.”
He continues, “I’m actually really enjoying being involved in the show much more than I thought I would. It’s been great meeting Katherine and Rolando - he’s got the same hair as me!”
Joe reveals how he already has one fan - his mum - who is thrilled her son is going to be appearing on her favourite show.
“Popstar to Operastar was actually my Mum’s favourite programme, so she is over the moon that I’m doing it this year!”