Dean Powell

Dean Powell has gained wide acclaim as a guest speaker and master of ceremonies at a variety of celebrity functions, while also performing as a compere to many famous artists and choirs in some of the world's greatest concert venues.

An award-winning journalist, with years of experience as the editor of his own newspaper as well as working for BBC Wales, Dean frequently appears on both radio and television. Over the years he has undertaken interviews on such diverse programmes as evening news bulletins, historical documentaries and religious shows.

Mayor Robert Smith, Lady Brenda Evans, Beverley Humphreys & Jason Howard, 2010

Dean often lectures journalism at the University of Glamorganl and for more than five years was the editor of the Pontypridd & Llantrisant Observer and literary editor of the Western Mail and WM magazine.

His anecdotes of interviews given with the likes of Hollywood greats Gregory Peck and Joan Fontaine, British stars Sir Richard Attenborough and Richard Todd along with American soap star Larry Hagman and international superstar Sir Tom Jones, have made him a firm favourite with audiences both young and old.

Dean's quick-witted style, inimitable Welsh humour and dignified presentation skills, have endeared him to a wide variety of audiences. As an after-dinner speaker, he has chaired numerous high-profile functions, sharing the platform with the likes of actor Glyn Houston, World Cup Referee Clive Thomas, raconteur Mel Thomas, war correspondent Kate Adie, World Cup Winner Nobby Styles and the Association of Former Players of Manchester United and BBC broadcasters Roy Noble, Phil Steele and Dewi Griffiths.

For over twenty years Dean has performed with the internationally-renowned Treorchy Male Choir, becoming their compere and soloist. For his services to the organisation he was made a Life Member. In 2004 and 2009 he presented concert tours before a combined audience of 40,000 people throughout Australia and New Zealand and was critically acclaimed for performances in Perth Concert Hall, Adelaide Festival Theatre, Brisbane's QPAC, Melbourne Arts Centre and the Sydney Opera House.

Beverley Humphreys and Roy Noble, 2008

In 2004 Dean shared the stage with veteran actress Sylvia Syms at a special performance in London's Festival Hall complex featuring such talents as Elaine Paige, Vince Hill and The Bachelors. In 2005 he presented two sell-out performances with Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins and in the following year compered a sell-out celebrity concert at the Wales Millennium Centre for Max Boyce.

Michael Parkinson, 2005

During the past few years Dean has worked closely with Welsh entertainer Iris Williams. On two occasions he arranged for the singer to return home to Wales for sell out concerts - both of which he presented. More recently he worked once more with Dame Vera Lynn, Max Boyce and actress Ruth Madoc. Dean has compered a series of unveiling ceremonies of Blue Plaques to recognise the history of Rhondda Cynon Taf, including Sir Geraint Evans, Donald Houston and Jimmy Murphy.

Dean has presented several concerts for the Blaenau Gwent Chorale and the male voice choirs of Dowlais, Rhos, Ebbw Vale, Beaufort, Tredegar, Pontypridd and Llantrisant. He presented a celebrity concert for the Pendyrus Male Choir with their soloist Katherine Jenkins and more recently became a regular feature with the Morriston Orpheus Choir. In 2008 he accompanied them on their tour of Geneva, Switzerland and also presented their annual concert with guest artist Jason Howard.

Dean has presented several concerts for the Blaenau Gwent Chorale, Richard Williams Singers and the male voice choirs of Dowlais, Ebbw Vale, Beaufort, Tredegar, Pontypridd and Llantrisant. He presented a celebrity concert for the Pendyrus Male Choir with their soloist Katherine Jenkins and more recently became a regular feature with the Morriston Orpheus Choir. In 2008 he accompanied them on their tour of Geneva, Switzerland and also presented their annual concert with guest artist Jason Howard.

Morriston Orpheus Choir, Geneva, 2008

Dean performs with Opera Galleria, a group of professional opera singers led by Alexander Anderson-Hall and James McOran Campbell which has seen him present several of their celebrated shows. He regularly works with The Three Other Tenors, a trio of soloists with the Welsh National Opera who frequently perform in the major concert halls of the UK with members of the company's own orchestra. In fact he is no stranger to the WNO, having presented concerts for many of its leading stars, including Ros Evans, Iona Jones, Rhys Meirion and Kate Woolveridge.

Finally, Dean is also an accomplished "voice-over" expert, having recorded items for such diverse topics as government health warnings, children's cartoons and cinema advertisements.