My name is Niall and I’m a 24 year old bass-baritone from Cardiff. I joined Only Men Aloud in October 2009 after completing a degree in European Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University.

Having played the piano and clarinet from a young age I’ve always had an interest in music but it wasn’t until my teenage years that I discovered a passion for singing; after my sister persuaded me to take part in a school production of South Pacific. I enjoyed the experience so much I went on to take lead roles in several musicals and began performing at solo recitals but it wasn’t until I was 18 that I actually had my first singing lesson.

My musical upbringing was always balanced with my passion for sport and as a teenager I’d have said I was far more likely to forge a career in sport than music! I captained the County cricket team, played rugby for Cardiff Schools and competed in the Steeplechase and Triple Jump at the National Championships. A broken leg and nose meant I had to curtail the slightly ‘rougher’ sports but I still maintain a single figure golf handicap and regularly go to the gym.

I’ve had some truly amazing experiences with Only Men Aloud and it is great that we can now share some of these with ‘the Boys’.

Follow me on Twitter - @Niall_Allen_