TV special to be aired celebrating the 40th anniversary of 'Last Christmas'
The Wham! classic has been a huge hit since its release
This year, Wham!'s iconic festive hit 'Last Christmas' celebrates its 40th anniversary. Not only is the song going to have a new EP release, a new TV special about the song has been announced to air later this year.
The BBC has announced a new programme called WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped will be aired on BBC Two and iPlayer later this year, and will be 'a nostalgic film brimming with memories'.
The hour-long special has been made in association with Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael Entertainment, and will follow how Andrew and George turned the Christmas classic into a cultural phenomenon.
Since its release in 1984, the song has continued to be played around Christmas each year, earning it four billion audio streams, one billion video views and reaching six times Platinum sales in the UK and USA. The song has also reached the Number 1 chart position in 16 countries around the world.
According to the synopsis: 'The charming film features a once in a lifetime reunion with some of the genuine group of close friends from the original music video, set against the stunning snow-covered backdrop of Saas-Fee in Switzerland. We’ll see Andrew, Pepsi, Shirlie, and friends revisit the video locations (including the ski lift and instantly recognisable alpine chalet), revealing exclusive, never-before-heard stories from the video that have remained a group secret – until now. We hear from the Mayor of Saas-Fee, who 40 years ago, was the band’s driver during the shoot and discover what happened to the iconic diamanté brooch which featured in the video.'
WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped also features interviews with Mary J Blige, Sir Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant and Sam Smith, and rare and exclusive archive footage. This includes a world exclusive first broadcast of George Michael performing 'Last Christmas' at Wembley Arena in December 2006, which is also featured on the upcoming new 'Last Christmas' EP.
Speaking about the new programme, Andrew Ridgeley said: "It’s a privilege, 40 years on, to be able to have this opportunity to celebrate WHAM!’s wonderful and enduring musical homage to Christmas and I’m absolutely thrilled that WHAM! in partnership with The BBC will present this joyful and touching tribute to the nation this Christmas.
"Christmas was a special time of year for George and Christmas songs were a special type of song for him too and that was why he considered writing a Christmas classic one of the great achievements of his career. Only he will ever know quite what inspired him to such dizzying heights, but his songwriting genius led him to distil the quintessential essence of Christmas into a song whose breadth of appeal spans the generations. Revisiting Saas Fee, four decades on, with some of the closest friends of my youth was a very special experience and one which I know Yog would have loved to have shared in."
George Michael Entertainment added: "'Last Christmas' remains as iconic today as it was 40 years ago, continuing to capture the essence of Christmas with the same magic and emotion.
"This year marks the 40th anniversary of the song, a true testament to George Michael’s songwriting brilliance. A timeless holiday classic, it holds a place among the greatest Christmas songs ever written, resonating with listeners of all ages and inspiring new generations today as it did 40 years ago.
"As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we are proud to be involved in this heartfelt tribute to the song, the video, and those involved. It offers fans the chance to relive the magic and gain fresh insight into the making of this beloved masterpiece, allowing us to share its enduring legacy with the public and fans around the world."
When is WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped on TV?
The date and time of the programme has not been revealed, however it will be available on BBC Two and iPlayer in December.
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