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Peter Auty is an English voice and stage singer who first came to public attention as the uncredited treble who sang the original film version of "Walking in the Air" for the animated short The Snowman (1982). At the time he was a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral; his contribution to the film was widely misattributed for years to other young singers. After his early choral work he trained and worked primarily in classical singing and on the live stage rather than as a mainstream film or television star. Auty’s name is most often cited in histories of British children’s television and in accounts of the making and legacy of The Snowman.

... Peter Auty is best known in screen-history circles as the St Paul’s Cathedral chorister whose treble voice was used in the original 1982 animated film The Snowman, singing Howard Blake’s song "Walking in the Air." The involvement was not widely publicised at the time, which led to decades of confusion and misattribution of the film recording. Auty subsequently pursued a professional singing career focused on concert and operatic performance rather than mainstream television presenting. Public records and press coverage that discuss his career typically emphasise his early choral background and the later confirmation of his role on the film soundtrack. While he has appeared as a guest or interviewee in documentary and broadcast pieces about the film and choral music, his long-term work has been primarily in singing and stage engagements rather than a large body of credited film or television acting roles. Then & Now The 1980s During the 1980s Auty first came to public attention as the uncredited St Paul’s Cathedral chorister whose treble voice sang Howard Blake’s "Walking in the Air" on the 1982 animated film The Snowman. Because his involvement was not widely publicised, the recording was misattributed for years, even as the film and song became cultural touchstones. After that early choral prominence he trained for and pursued a professional career focused on classical singing and the live stage rather than mainstream film or television. His name is therefore most often cited in histories of British children’s television and in accounts of the making and legacy of The Snowman. Now (2026) As of 2026 Auty is chiefly remembered for his sustained career in concert and operatic performance and for occasional documentary or broadcast appearances discussing The Snowman and choral music. He did not become a mainstream screen star, instead sustaining a long-term presence on the stage and in classical singing circles. His lasting legacy is the definitive recognition as the original treble voice on "Walking in the Air" and the role his early chorister work played in shaping later accounts of British children’s television music. Career timeline Early 1970s–1980s Served as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral (period in which he sang as a boy treble). 1982 Provided the treble singing voice for the Boy in the animated film The Snowman (song: "Walking in the Air"). 1980s–1990s Transitioned from boy chorister work toward formal musical/singing training and concert work as his voice matured. 1990s–2000s Built a career focused on concert and operatic engagements and studio recording work (choral and solo repertoire). 2000s Was periodically cited in press and broadcast pieces recounting the history of The Snowman and the origins of the film recording. 2010s Featured as interviewee or contributor in retrospectives and documentaries about British choral music and children’s television where relevant. 2010s–2020s Continued work as a professional singer in concerts and recordings; maintained a low public profile outside specialist musical and film-history contexts. Present Widely recognised among film and music historians as the original singing voice on the 1982 film version of "Walking in the Air". Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Saint Peter - Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Who was Peter in the Bible? - GotQuestions.org Public biography and credit reference.1 Peter 1 NIV - Bible Gateway Biographical and credit details were checked against Saint Peter - Wikipedia, Who was Peter in the Bible? - GotQuestions.org, 1 Peter 1 NIV - Bible Gateway.