They pioneered “popera” after storming to the final of The X Factor in 2004, but then split suddenly only a few years later at the height of their fame.

Now, older and wiser, the boys – Mike Christie, Jonathan Ansell, Ben Thapa and Nick Ashby in place of Matthew Stiff – are back with a new album, new tour, which comes to Tunbridge Wells, and a new-found appreciation for their fame, as baritone Mike Christie tells us.

It was quite a whirlwind for you all after the final of the X Factor in 2004 wasn’t it?

We went on the X Factor for a laugh – the problem was we ended up in the final. We weren’t expecting to do that. It happened that we were launched into this career together: three weeks after the X Factor it was 24/7 every week together. We were young and the whole ride was incredible but in the end we needed to have some space away from each other.

So what was it like singing together again and reforming after your break-up?

When we came back it was very different. Now we have lived a bit and done things. When we do the G4 stuff together we have got loads of stuff to talk about and also it makes us better performers. We appreciate G4 more now.

How did you choose the love songs for your new album?

We came up with a very long list and then started singing. We sang through the whole list. We had to come up with something that was original and different, that still feels familiar. We needed to be able to put the G4 stamp on it.

So tell us about the songs you did pick.

They are iconic love songs with more of a pop sound but we have made it a more rhythmic, warm sound with the orchestra. There are 13 songs on the album – they let us keep 13, usually it’s less. We’ve got duets with Lesley Garrett and Merrill Osmond, plus All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, a Meatloaf song and Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis. We stripped it back with four voices, a capella which really takes us back to our roots.

You have a good musical relationship with Lesley don’t you?

We like to do a duet and working with Merrill and Lesley has been great. She is a real hoot. Because we had so much fun with Lesley before we wanted to do something again with her. It was great seeing her again. She is so much fun and very motherly to us.

You missed a few years as a group – do you feel you are making up for lost time?

We met at the Guildhall and did our first classical crossover album 12 years ago. We’re not tenors, we all have different voices, so we have got such a huge reach. Other groups don’t have that. But the best bit is your voice hits its physical peak at 36. We are very nearly there – it’s exciting!

DETAILS

G4 will be at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, on Wednesday, March 8. For tickets at £27.50, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.