Thousands turn out to enjoy a summer night of open-air operatic fireworks

The popular singer, actor, author, presenter and radio star is often heard on BBC Radio 2 and seen on BBC television shows Cash in the Attic and Escape to the Country.

He was compere at the open-air classical music event in front of a capacity 50,000 crowd on Saturday.

For the first time this year’s event, organised by Leeds City Council supported by media partners Magic 828 and the Yorkshire Post, featured a spectacular fireworks finale.

Richard Beecham, 23, of Tingley, Wakefield, said: “It’s been great fun. I’ve been several times before and it is always a very well-organised event.”

Joining Aled Jones on stage were renowned opera singers Orla Boylan, Heather Shipp, Gwyn Hughes Jones and David Kempster as well as The Leeds Festival Chorus, while the music was provided once again by the acclaimed Orchestra of Opera North.

Meanwhile an audience of up to 70,000 revellers enjoyed themselves yesterday at the UK’s largest free annual outdoor music party, Party in the Park at Temple Newsam.