You know that haunting, high-pitched voice that floats over the snowy landscapes every Christmas? The one where a little boy and a snowman fly over the Brighton Pier? Most people would bet their house that it’s Aled Jones.
Well, you’d lose your house.
Honestly, it's one of the biggest "Mandela Effects" in British pop culture history. People swear they remember Aled singing in the original 1982 film The Snowman. They didn't. They can't. Because he wasn't there.
The Secret Voice of the Original Film
The real singer in the 1982 animated masterpiece was a St Paul’s Cathedral choirboy named Peter Auty. He was paid about £300 for the session. That’s it. To make matters worse, his name was actually left off the credits because the production was in such a rush to finish the animation.
Peter's voice is the one that actually soundtracks the "flying" scene. It’s slightly more innocent, perhaps a bit raw compared to the polished version we all know. But because his name wasn't on the screen, he remained a ghost for decades. He eventually became a successful operatic tenor, but for years, he had to listen to another kid get the credit for his big moment.
How Aled Jones Walking in the Air Actually Happened
So, how did a 14-year-old from Anglesey become the face of the song? Basically, it was a total fluke involving a toy store.
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In 1985—three years after the movie came out—Toys "R" Us was launching in the UK. They wanted to use the song for a TV advert. By then, Peter Auty’s voice had already broken. He wasn't a treble anymore; he was a teenager with a deeper voice.
The producers needed a new "angelic" kid.
Aled Jones was already a bit of a local celebrity in Wales. A lady in his church congregation had written to a record company saying, "You’ve got to hear this boy." When the toy company called, Aled stepped into the studio, recorded the track, and the rest is history. That version—the "advert version"—is the one that skyrocketed to number five on the UK singles chart in 1985.
Life as a "Boy Wonder"
Being Aled Jones in the mid-80s was intense. He sold over six million albums before he could even drive. Imagine being 15 and having Bruce Springsteen be the only person keeping you from the number one spot on the charts.
He sang for Pope John Paul II. He sang for the Queen. He even sang at Bob Geldof’s wedding.
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But there’s a weird pressure that comes with being "The Boy Who Sings Walking in the Air." People wanted him to stay that way forever. In reality, Aled was just a normal kid who liked playing football and hated getting his hair cut.
He’s mentioned in interviews that he never really wanted the adulation; he just liked how singing felt. It was a "bloody great time," but it was also a whirlwind that had a very clear expiration date.
When the Voice Finally Broke
Every boy soprano lives with a ticking clock in their throat. For Aled, the clock stopped at 16.
He tells a funny (if terrifying) story about singing a high note at the Royal Variety Performance and realizing midway through that he’d forgotten the lyrics. He had to make them up on the spot in front of the Queen. That's the kind of stress that makes you relieved when your voice finally drops.
When his voice broke, the professional singing stopped for a while. He didn't just transition into a baritone overnight; he had to go to the Royal Academy of Music and the Bristol Old Vic to basically learn how to be an adult performer.
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The 2026 Perspective: Why It Still Matters
It’s been over 40 years since that song first hit the airwaves, yet it hasn't aged a day. Why?
Part of it is pure nostalgia. But the other part is the sheer technical brilliance of Howard Blake’s composition. It’s a bit creepy, right? It’s not a "jolly" Christmas song. It’s minor-key, haunting, and a little bit sad. It captures that feeling of being a child where everything is magical but also slightly overwhelming and temporary.
Interestingly, the "miscarriage of justice" regarding Peter Auty was finally corrected for the 20th anniversary of the film in 2002, when his name was added to the credits.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers
If you’re a fan of the track, there are a few things you should actually do to appreciate the history:
- Listen to the "Mash-Up": You can find versions online that play Auty’s and Jones’s versions side-by-side. The differences in tone and "breathiness" are fascinating.
- Check out "One Voice": Aled released an album where, thanks to modern tech, he duets with his younger self. It’s a bit trippy but technically impressive.
- Watch the Credits: Next time you watch the movie, look for Peter Auty’s name. It’s finally there.
Aled Jones is much more than just a Christmas hit—he’s a broadcaster, a father, and a survivor of the "child star" machine. But to the world, he’ll always be the boy flying through the air, even if he wasn't actually the one in the movie.