In 2007 the band disbanded, citing disagreements among the members,[2] but reunited in 2014 to celebrate their ten-year anniversary with a number of concerts nationwide, leading to a new album for Christmas 2015.

[3][4] Although the band members originally took it in turns to sing lead, Simon Cowell – who had dismissed them as "fat buskers"[5][6] – suggested that Ansell be promoted to the group's frontman.

[7][8] Mentored by Louis Walsh, they reached the final, and to date G4 remain one of only two classical-based acts to compete in the live shows, the other being Welsh baritone Rhydian – coincidentally, both placed second in Series 1 and 4 respectively, but outsold the eventual winners.

[20] Raphael believed their mentor-turned-manager Walsh accepted Sony BMG's advances because the company had a plan of how to work with them as opposed to their competitors who merely had a desire to sign the band.

[20] During this time, Ansell, who had previously auditioned to be a member of Il Divo,[21] was offered the role of Prince Tamino in Kenneth Branagh's modern adaptation of The Magic Flute, but turned it down to remain with the band.

[22] The debut album, G4, was released on 28 February 2005, and contained mostly classical covers of popular pop songs, most of which had been performed on The X Factor like "Everybody Hurts",[23] with a few opera tunes such as "Nessun Dorma" and "Flower Duet".

[26] G4 & Friends was released on 28 November 2005, and followed the same format as their first album, but also included collaborations with Lesley Garrett and Robin Gibb, both of whom were special guests during the group's UK tour.

[27] Their version of "When a Child is Born", also from the album, was originally in the running to become christmas number one for 2005,[28] but was disqualified due to the inclusion of free stickers in the CD case.

During this period, G4 traveled to the SOS Children's Villages in Ghana on behalf of Classic Response,[34] completed the London Marathon,[35][36] and made a special appearance at the 4th of July party at Winfield House where they sang "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Stiff declined, stating that he wished to focus solely on his opera career, but he was replaced by Nick Ashby, making him the third bass to sing with the group.

[48] On 6 September 2016, G4 announced a new PledgeMusic campaign to fund their fifth studio album G4 Love Songs[49] including appearances from Merrill Osmond and Lesley Garrett and the orchestration of the City Of Prague Symphony Orchestra.