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From a lager commercial audition to a Britain's Got Talent triumph, Abbie Condon has discovered that the greatest reward of Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone Farmers' Choir is the friendship, understanding and sense of belonging it has brought.

When Red Tractor's Abbie Condon first spotted an advert on social media for people with a farming background who may also be able to hold a turn, she immediately sent it to a friend who keeps sheep. But after giving the idea some thought, she then decided to put herself forward.

"I thought, 鈥業t says people with an agricultural background'," she says. "So I can just see what they have to say."

The choir begins to take shape

What began as an opportunity to take part in a beer advert quickly grew into something much bigger. During filming, the organisers discovered that the singers sounded better thant they may have originally thought, and the idea of a proper choir began to take shape.

Then came Britain's Got Talent. Abbie says she hadn't really thought it would be become a reality, let alone winning over the public and receiving the Golden Buzzer.

For Abbie, one of the most important parts of the experience was not the performance itself, but the time spent together behind the scenes.

See the moment, the Hawkstone Farmers' Choir lives changed forever

With members ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s and spread across the country, the choir brings together people who might otherwise never have met.

"We've got such an incredibly strong bond," she says. "You find out how many things you have in common with all these people.

"That downtime was brilliant as we really go to know one another. Now we know about people's families, their farming situation that has been something extra special to come out of this. We quickly became close friends."

Isolation is a big concern

Those conversations also revealed a shared concern about mental health and the isolation many in agriculture experience. Although Abbie works in an office-based agricultural role, her years spent in farm assurance have given her an insight into the challenges farmers face.

She says being part of the choir helped demonstrate how valuable it can be to simply spend time with people who understand the realities of farming.

"We were having so much fun on stage but the songs deliver a message about farming which really resonated with the audience. Some of the feedback we got from farmers and the public straight away showed us that we have to continue."

Discover just what Jeremy Clarkson plans to grow next...

The group has certainly flourished with television appearances, an original album coming on November 20 and a national tour planned for next year. Abbie is looking forward to getting on the road and singing with her fellow choir members, although fitting rehearsals and performances around day jobs and farming commitments will be a challenge.

"We are actually getting a tour bus, which is going to be so much fun. We are travelling around the country. The logistics as you can imagine are going to be difficult but I am hopefully going to be there singing my heart out."

But with more than 40 busy farmers all ready to hit the road in the middle of lambing, Abbie says there is one stipulation: "I think we will have to make it a rule that boots are removed at the door of the bus."

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