Military wives poised to take Christmas No 1 with charity single
02 December 2011
The ladies with the 'real' X Factor are Cowell's greatest ever threat, according to bookies
A group of military wives from Devon have become the bookies' favourite to take the coveted crown from X Factor in the much-anticipated race to take the Christmas No.1 single. The bookies unanimously agree that the Military Wives, from Gareth Malone's BBC series "The Choir: Military Wives", sit just behind the X Factor winner. Odds for the choir taking the top spot on Christmas Day are shortening every day for their song "Wherever You Are" and now pose the biggest threat to the X Factor since it began.
The wives from RMB Chivenor & Plymouth have been the subject of a surprise campaign to get them to Christmas No.1 after being spotted on TV and personally backed by BBC Radio 2 Breakfast DJ, Chris Evans. Today they travelled to London to thank Chris in person on behalf of the charities the single will support, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association).
Bookmakers William Hill agree that the choir could reach the Christmas No.1 position and, following a flurry of bets, are now offering 5/4 odds that they will take the top spot. In terms of odds, the Military Wives are currently the greatest threat to Christmas No.1 that the X Factor has ever seen.
The wives have already had an extraordinary year, having been coached by choral guru Gareth Malone which culminated in the BBC show and a performance in front of millions at The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance. Now, to have a piece personally written for them by the Royal Wedding composer and to be supported by one of the UK's leading DJs, is beyond a dream.
"Wherever You Are" is a moving love song written by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor for the choir to sing at The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance. The music is set to a poem Paul compiled from letters to and from the servicemen and their wives on a 6-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. It is the raw emotion of the song that has touched so many of the British public.
The women are passionate about supporting their chosen charities, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help. Having already raised the plight of military families through their TV series, which ended with the return of their husbands from Afghanistan, they are keen to support those who aren't so lucky.
View our video showing interviews with Chris Evans, Gareth Malone and some of the wives.
Quotes:
"Our show will get right behind this Christmas single"
Chris Evans,BBC Radio 2
"This is the most emotional song I've ever written. The words come directly from the wives' own inner dreams and hopes, and in this simple melody I've tried to give the women the voice they so richly deserve. This is what music's all about: deep emotions." Paul Mealor, composer
"To have worked with the heroic women of Chivenor and Plymouth has been an honour and a joy; to have recorded Paul Mealor's beautiful song with them has added to that honour. The Military Wives Choir sing for all those whose husbands and partners are or have been away at war. Military families are ably supported by both The Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help so we are delighted to be donating to them all proceeds from this heartfelt song. These women support our troops and now it's your chance to support them." Gareth Malone
"'Wherever You Are' has all the ingredients in place to deliver the Christmas Number One. Gareth Malone is a legend, you have a forces angle, the song has both a TV show and the most popular radio show backing it. It is currently second favourite but I can see it being favourite come Christmas Morning," Rupert Adams, William Hill spokesman
"Gareth Malone's Military Wives Choir has captured the nation's hearts with their song 'Wherever you are', which expresses the rollercoaster of emotion experienced by our Service families left at home. They are the unsung heroes of our Armed Forces - helping to keep families going, and being strong for their partners serving in operations. This uplifting song will provide hope and solace to many separated from their loved ones at Christmas." Russell Thompson OBE, Director of National Events and Fundraising, The Royal British Legion
Notes to Editors
'Wherever You Are' is written by Paul Mealor and performed by Gareth Malone with the Military Wives. It will be released on 19 December and available for pre-order from 5 December on Decca Records. Proceeds will go to two military charities - the Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help. *
*50p will be donated from every digital single and 40p from every physical single.
About The Royal British Legion:
The Royal British Legion is the UK's largest Armed Forces
charity. We provide life-long care to serving and ex-Service
people, and their families. The Legion spends £1.4 million a week
caring for those in greatest need, whether its help with finding a
job, a grant to buy white goods, or benefits and money advice. This
year, over 1,400 Armed Forces families received holidays from the
Legion after being separated due to Service. We also supported 80
bereaved Armed Forces families through the painful inquest process
with free, independent expert legal advice and assistance. This
year alone, the Legion will care for over 160,000 members of the
Armed Forces family, as well as campaigning on their behalf.
The Legion runs the annual Poppy Appeal and is also the nation's custodian of Remembrance, ensuring that sacrifices on behalf of the nation are honoured and remembered - www.britishlegion.org.uk
About SSAFA Forces Help
SSAFA (pronounced saf - a) Forces Help provides practical
help and assistance to anyone who is currently serving or has
served in our Armed Forces. Support for military families is
at the heart of what we do. We are the leading Forces charity
that provides practical support to military wives and families at
home and overseas. We have been supporting military families
for more than 125 years! Our work today includes:
- A network of volunteers on bases and garrisons around the UK and around the world, helping families
- Two SSAFA Norton Homes for the families of wounded servicemen, enabling them to be close to their loved ones whilst they recover (one near the hospital in Birmingham and one near the Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court) - a number of families from the Royal Marine deployment stayed at one of these homes.
- Support groups for bereaved families and bereaved siblings
www.ssafa.org.uk - Registered Charity Number 210760. Established 1885. Registered Charity (Scotland) Number SC038056
For more information please go to:
Military wives' Facebook page or Military
wives' Twitter account
The following video is hosted on our YouTube channel where you can also see the video for the single.
