NORTH Wales TV star and former choirboy Aled Jones's three young protegees yesterday landed a £500,000 record deal. Llandegfan tenor Aled Jones is mentoring singing trio The Choirboys - described as a mini version of the Three Tenors - who signed with classics giant Universal. CJ Porter-Thaw, 11, and Patrick Aspbury and Ben Inman, both 12, spent the summer recording their debut album after they were discovered in their school choirs. The album includes both choral music such as Ave Maria and interpretations of rock tunes such as Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven. Aled, 34, said: "I'm advising them and being part of their team, as I've been there and done it myself. "They are really great, fun loving lads and enjoying all this - but I think they've enjoyed more having a haircut and a suit than the recording process." The singer, who found fame as a schoolboy soprano when he sang the theme tune to animated classic The Snowman, used his experience to offer the trio a few gems of wisdom. He said: "First of all I'd tell them to shy away from all that child stardom business - all that teeth and tap shoes. Keep it real, I think." The group was formed after talent scouts visited 50 cathedrals and churches across the UK. Jones said the three boys chosen were all extremely talented and were different to other boys he heard all the time. He said: "It's kind of nostalgic - not that I'd go back, though." | 
