“Merry Xmas, Everybody” No.1, 1973 Slade’s chart-topper was recorded in New York while the band toured the world. Flamboyant guitarist, Dave Hill – remembered for his trademark high-heel boots and dis

“It was a dull, boring Sunday in 1984 and we were just passing the time,” Andrew Ridgeley recalls of the day Wham! bandmate George Michael wrote Last Christmas. While Andrew watched football on the TV

→ For 40 years, George Michael’s Last Christmas was the bridesmaid. The nearly-but-never-quite. The most successful single never to reach number one, it was pop’s great injustice. And then the spell b

Actor, comedian and author Dawn French on how she spends the festive season

Three women share their stories of festive singing

Meet the late lifers who are using their skills to create some festive magic…