Succeeding solo after a hit group

By Arif Ansari
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

As G4's Jonathan Ansell goes solo, we investigate how difficult it is for ex-members of successful bands to make it on their own.

Jonathan Ansell admits a solo career is a more lonely existence

For the last few years he has been known as 'the blonde one' from X-Factor group G4.

Now Jonathan Ansell is out on his own with his debut solo album, Tenor at the Movies.

Gone is the trademark spiky hair, which has been plastered down for the album's front cover.

"It's a '50s movie slick, and there was a lot of gel involved," he laughs as he recalls the photo shoot.

It is all part of the effort to rebrand Ansell as a more mature singer who has left the world of TV talent shows behind him.

"Working solo is definitely going to have to grow on me over time - the realisation you are literally on your own," he says.

"You aren't hidden behind a band name anymore. I am enjoying it, but I wouldn't say I'm happier. It's just different."

Curtains

Moving from a group to a solo career is risky. For every Justin Timberlake or Robbie Williams, there is a Lee Ryan or a Stephen Gately.

Those who succeed can end up superseding the band that produced them. For those who miscalculate, though, it can be curtains.

I'm in the best position possible to make it work. If it doesn't, at least we've all given it the best shot Jonathan Ansell

"If you're doing this high-profile stuff, you must think to yourself 'how can I fail?'" says Peter Robinson of music website Popjustice.com.

"If you're in a band and you get a number one, you kind of think 'I can achieve one third of this success myself.'

"But it doesn't happen like that. What makes pop songs work is a combination of the members. Individually there isn't that spark."

Just ask Take That member Gary Barlow, who bitterly recalls being ridiculed when he tried his hand as a solo artist.

'Incredibly proud'

"I was told I was the new George Michael, the next Elton - the best British songwriter for years," he wrote in his autobiography.

"I was told, 'Forget Robbie, the big money is on you.' But almost from the moment I left Take That, my self-belief began to fade away."

G4 had three hit albums including a number one before they split

Ansell, though, is well aware failure is a possibility and has gone into this new phase of his career with both eyes open.

"The fans have told me it's difficult to connect with me as Jonathan Ansell rather than as part of G4.

"I guess through time people will start to distance me from that. But it's fine with me - I'm incredibly proud of what we did."

Ansell now has new management in the form of Jonathan Shalit, who also looks after Jamelia, Teatro and former Hear'Say member Myleene Klaas.

And his new label, Universal Classics and Jazz, have given him a three-album deal and want to see a return.

'Stepping stone'

Ansell's first album features music from various movies, to which he adds his voice.

No more room, then, for the G4 fun-factor of a Bohemian Rhapsody or Life on Mars cover.

Donna Cass from Universal's marketing department says she wants to attract a new audience without alienating existing fans.

"We're going to run a mention of G4 in the first couple of weeks so people know who he is," she told the BBC News website.

Ansell's new album will be ranked in the classical chart

"But we're only using G4 as a stepping stone. Moving forward, it will simply be Jonathan Ansell."

Ansell himself is aware of the gradual metamorphosis. "It's an interesting process," he says.

"It's important not to alienate the previous audience, but still to offer something new and different. It's a natural progression."

Peter Robinson, however, suspects it could be an uphill battle. "G4 worked quite well as a group. But is he charismatic enough on his own?" he asks.

"He could be successful if he's well marketed and put in the right place. But I think it will be hard work to get people interested."

Ansell remains confident, though. "I think everything is there," he shrugs.

"I'm in the best position possible to make it work. If it doesn't, at least we've all given it the best shot."

Jonathan Ansell's Tenor at the Movies album is released this week.