At this day in age you would think that tattoos were as socially acceptable as ever, sadly that is not the case for Military Wives Choir soloist Samantha Stevenson. News you can trust since 1817. Military wives take on The X Factor. Sam is nevertheless not an archetypal military wife. With their partners away serving in Afghanistan, a group of women on the home front form a choir and quickly find themselves at the center of a media sensation and global movement. * Sales figures based on certification alone. [9][10], A campaign was launched to promote sales of the CD single, with the aim of it becoming the 2011 Christmas number one in the UK Singles Chart. He joined the Army six years ago and the six months he spent in Afghanistan were their first protracted period of separation. Im awful with compliments. But despite their success, Mrs Stevenson said the nasty comments about her tattoos had affected her. It feels much more natural and comfortable.. But at her school, Perth Academy, she was bullied horrendously. Her husband, Hugo, was set to deploy to Afghanistan in the spring of 2010 and spent much of his time training. Military Wives Choir's original members tell their stories The movie was directed by Peter Cattaneo, who also directed The Full Monty. Kate takes Charlotte to watch Cinderella at the Royal Opera House ahead of her 8th A new Coronation do? The Bank Holiday excitement is a bit too much for some! 15 SAMANTHA STEVENSON 2012-11-02 - PERTH-BORN Samantha is perhaps the best-known face of the phenomenon that is the Military Wives, the singing group put together by TV choirmaster Gareth Malone for the fourth series of the BBC2 show, The Choir. Unlike in the film, the performance was part of the climax of choirmaster Gareth Malone's television series The Choir: Military Wivesand featured the two choirs he helped form during the series, not the original choir.The Military Wives Choirs also performed the song "Sing" for the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. 'My skin was so bad I stopped going out': Expert reveals his 3 top skincare tips as women tell how an Kate and William's tribute to Aberfan: Solemn royals pay their respects in poignant visit 57 years after the Ballet princess! Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. When Gareth Malone created his Military Wives choir, the effects were to prove far more enduring and profound than the resulting flurry of fame. ONE of the military choir's main stars was Samantha Stevenson, 36. Samantha with fellow members Nicky Kenyon and Kerry Riva after receiving their Official Singles Chart Number 1 Award by Reggie Yates yesterday, A doting mother and wife: Samantha with one of her two children, aged two. [4], The cover art features the emblem of a Remembrance poppy on a green background and the logos of the charities benefiting from the sales. The comments below have been moderated in advance. What a year, she says incredulously. In the space of a few months the shy Scottish soloist in the Military Wives choir has gone from being an unknown housewife (her description) to having a whirlwind media schedule that would exhaust seasoned professionals. Cart. It was the idea of Nicky Clarke, who came up with the concept of a choir while sitting on the sofa one afternoon in the autumn of 2009. A former lance corporal shes served twice in Bosnia herself and has the unique perspective of being able to see the situation from both sides. I was an emotional wreck at the first choir practice afterwards but I wanted to do something for myself and to keep busy., To compound matters her 47-year- old mother was knocked down by a car and had brain injuries. I had jet black hair and wore baggy jeans and bad T-shirts. It can be so lonely, and the loneliest time is when the children are in bed and your thoughts run away with themselves. Military wife 'in awe of success' of Christmas song - BBC News B. Well, I didnt have any self-belief. At the start, I didnt want anyone to hear my voice. That would be great, says Sam. Maybe I can sing.. Order Stronger Together, the new album from the Military Wives out November 5th 2012: http://bit.ly/STogether HMV: http://bit.ly/STogetherHMV Play: http://bit.ly/STogetherPlay Sainsbury's: http://bit.ly/STogetherPlayStay up to date via the Military Wives e-list: http://bit.ly/MWelistProceeds from the album In My Dreams will go to The Military Wives Choirs Foundation which will help all military communities to establish their own Choirs across the UK. Choir Member (as Jane Leadsom) Chantelle Street . The Military Wives song Wherever You Are is on course to be this year's Christmas number one and become the fastest-selling single for six years. Watch the real Military Wives Choir perform the songs "Wherever You Are" and "Sing". The first month because theyre back out there and the last because its close to the end and you hope its not going to go wrong., Contact is normally a 30-minute phone call once a week. Weve just got through the worst the six months he was in Afghanistan. Three million viewers watched the wives, recruited from military bases in Chivenor and Plymouth in Devon, progress in the three-part BBC2 programme The Choir under the guidance of inspirational choirmaster Gareth Malone. Military Wives choir soloist Sam Stevenson, 28, says she is "in awe" of the success of their track Wherever You Are. They're the 'guilt-free' doughnuts with the same calories as a glass of milk - but are they any good?