Swinging with Nicky Campbell

Nicky swings, Mark sings - Campbell and Moraghan join forces to make music

By Andy Roberts
BBC South East Wales

TV and radio presenter Nicky Campbell will show the musical side of his personality in an exclusive gig at the Raglan Music Festival in Monmouthshire.

Nicky will sing songs he's written for a big band swing album by Holby City actor Mark Moraghan.

The pair hit it off when they met on the set of the BBC's celebrity talent show Just The Two of Us in 2006.

Nicky will be performing with a seven piece band at Raglan Baptist Church on Friday 12 June.

Currently presenting the breakfast show on BBC Radio Five Live, Nicky was a professional songwriter before becoming a radio DJ.

He says he was impressed by Mark's vocal talent and that he shared his love of big band swing and jazz.

The pair began writing and recording a collection of original songs which will be released as an album - Moonlight's Back in Style.

Mark - best known as Holby City's ambitious obstetrician Owen Davis - was originally due to lead the band at their festival date in south Wales but had to pull out due to theatre commitments.

Nicky says he accepted the need to "step up to the plate" rather than cancel the engagement and hopes he can do the songs justice.

Nicky's songs evoke the big band sounds of Frank Sinatra

"(Mark) is just the most fantastic, relaxed, easy singer," says Nicky. "I'm OK ... but hopefully I'll get away with it because they're my songs and it's a great band," he added.

"I'm scared and a bit anxious about it but at the same time really looking forward to it - and looking forward to people hearing the music too."

The band includes Pembrokeshire-born jazz trumpeter Ben Thomas and ukulele maestro Steven Sproat.

Rob Atkins, chairman of the Raglan Music Festival, said: "It's amazing to see names such as Nicky at the festival which only five years ago was little more than a village get-together.

"We're thrilled to have Nicky on board and look forward to seeing a packed house."

Nicky hopes that Mark will be available to lead the band on a UK tour when the album is released by Linn Records in September 2009.