SINCE winning BBC’s Last Choir Standing in 2008 the Classical Brit award winning Welsh vocal phenomenon Only Men Aloud have enjoyed global success.

But they really hit the high notes when they performed to a worldwide audience of around 1 billion when they sang at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

This is on top of selling hundreds of thousands of albums, nine sell out UK Tours, multiple TV appearances and numerous standout live performances.

Now, following a successful UK Christmas tour, they are back with their 2015 On the Road Tour that visits The Anvil, Basingstoke on Saturday (May 23) and The Concorde Club, Eastleigh on June 12.

This coincides with the release of their fifth studio album, and for this tour the band will perform fan favourites given the unique Only Men Aloud twist such as Mr Blue Sky, Here Come The Sun, Ticket To Ride as well as debuting new material with their trademark vocal harmonies.

The choir has undergone some tweaking and re-styling since the early days, shrinking from 20 to just eight members. Original member David Fortey explained why: “Some members were students and we went from 16 down to 12; some guys had regular full time jobs outside the choir and some started families so before we knew it there was a regular core of 12 guys.

"Then the decision was made to finally make it an eight-piece – which was a massive culture shock at the time.

“It had been a case of safety in numbers before. We were down to eight and suddenly there was nowhere to hide and it was very daunting. But we’ve been together long enough to know each other inside out.”

Had they to audition for their own jobs?

“Unfortunately that was the case. It was difficult; it was a strange feeling at a time when everything was happening. There were no dates planned, no concerts. Everything was being re-established and the group stood still for six months so it was strange when we came back, as we were used to seeing so many people. We had to re-invent our sound, our style, the way we perform and work together as a group.

“We worked with some amazing people who helped us gel as a group. Now we are reaping the benefits. When there were so many people there were fewer opportunities because it was more expensive to run. Now we can go to places like America; it’s much more manageable with eight and our expenses are halved!”

The group has become well travelled appearing across the states, including New York, Chicago and Washington.

The boys have now worked hard on their clean –cut image too.

“Our image has just become a bit sharper and more original. ‘Modern’ is the wrong word. It’s personalised; everyone’s got their own status in the group.

"The tailoring of each person is made to what suits them, whereas before we all wore the same suits in the same colour – it was a regimented look. Now it’s fun because we do feel more unique.”

Aside from this they are involved with helping the spin-off group ‘Only Boys Allowed’.

The choir started this up, along with Only Kids Allowed, to encourage singing among Welsh youths: “They have their own identity and success- they came third in Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.

“It’s a nice balance for us – it’s healthy, because there is a danger you could become over-immersed in one thing.”

As for that appearance at the London Olympics, David says: “When you are on stage you are in that moment of time.

"It was only a day or two afterwards when we were scheduled to do something else that we thought about it: you don’t have time to think and dwell. It’s only when you look back you start to take stock of what a big achievement it was.

"We’ve never performed at a bigger event and we never will, with the crowd and TV audience of about a billion people! "