Interestingly, this is the first time that George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s song has reached number one during Christmas week. Ridgeley expressed his delight and humility at achieving this milestone, stating,“It’s marvellous and humbling to have got there. Top of the pile is a great place to be.” He added that Michael, who died in 2016, had always wanted the song to be a Christmas number one.”He felt any great songwriter should be able to write a Christmas hit to order. Unfortunately, it’s taken too long for George – but he’d be absolutely over the moon.”

The Top Five Christmas Songs

1. Wham! – “Last Christmas”
2. Sam Ryder – “You’re Christmas To Me”
3. Mariah Carey – “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
4. Noah Kahan – “Stick Season”
5. Ed Sheeran and Elton John – “Merry Christmas”

For the past five years, the charity campaigners LadBaby have secured the coveted Christmas number one spot with their singles aimed at raising funds for food-related causes. However, this year they decided not to participate, leaving the title up for grabs. Out of the top 40 songs this week, a total of 33 were Christmas-themed, including popular tracks like Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”

“Last Christmas” was written by George Michael in his childhood bedroom in February 1984. In an interview with Smash Hits in 1986, he confidently stated, “As far as I was concerned, it was a number one.” The inspiration for the song struck unexpectedly while the singer was spending time at his parents’ house in Hertfordshire. According to Andrew Ridgeley, Michael’s bandmate, “There was a footy match on the telly and he suddenly jumped up and disappeared upstairs where he had a little four-track studio. About an hour later, he came back and said, ‘Andy Andy, you’ve got to listen to this’. I rarely saw him as excited or as animated as that. And as soon as I heard it, it was so apparent that it had all the hallmarks of a Christmas classic. It was a jaw-dropping moment.”

@smoothradio The story of Last Christmas, told by Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley #lastchristmas #lastchristmaschallenge #georgemichael #andrewridgeley #smoothradio Last Christmas –

The song was then recorded in August at London’s Advision Studios, which Michael adorned with Christmas decorations to create the right atmosphere. When the duo played the song for their families, Ridgeley recalled, “It claimed its first victim. One of my mother’s friends had a romance at Christmas, which is what the song is about. She got jilted and when she heard it, she burst into tears.”

The iconic and cheerful music video, featuring Wham!’s backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie and model Kathy Hill, was filmed later that year in Switzerland. In addition to the memorable chunky knitwear and the prominent silver brooch, the video also marked the final time Michael would be seen without his trademark designer stubble.

Sam Ryder emerged as a strong competitor to Wham! this year with his track “You’re Christmas To Me.” this track received a boost in the charts thanks to support from Amazon. Despite an extensive publicity campaign, Ryder couldn’t surpass Wham!’s dominance but remained enthusiastic about his achievement. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl also made a bid for the number one spot with “Fairytale of New York,” landing in sixth place.

Taylor will be joined by Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, Andrew Ridgeley from Wham!, David Palmer from ABC, as well as singer-songwriter Ella Henderson and guitarist Phil X. Together, they will perform a selection of their most renowned songs to an audience consisting of philanthropists, musicians, and two fortunate fans.

The event, set to take place on October 21 at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds, will also encompass a live auction showcasing artworks by Banksy and Picasso and exclusive Fender guitars signed by artists including Lady Gaga, Nile Rodgers and Green Day including a special Fender Guitar to be played and signed by Andy Taylor on the night! Additionally, Katherine Ryan will deliver a comedic performance, while Ridgeley will assume the role of DJ.

In an interview discussing his treatment, Andy said, “There also needs to be a revolution in men’s healthcare about prostate cancer, a breaking down of the stigmas associated with getting tested. The Cancer Awareness Trusts’ vision for a Cancer Platform is what we need and why I’m an ambassador.”  He went on to add, “So many amazing people have come together to put this show together with Andy and I can’t wait to celebrate with them all on the night, but more importantly, I’m looking forward to putting the funds raised to the crucial and urgent work of transforming cancer outcomes.”

Duran Duran, founded in Birmingham in 1978, quickly rose to prominence in the 1980s as a leading musical group, receiving widespread recognition and praise for their exceptional contributions to the industry, boasting chart-topping hits such as “Rio,” “The Wild Boys,” and the James Bond theme “A View To A Kill”. In 2021, the group unveiled their 15th studio album, Future Past.

The funds raised will be allocated to the Cancer Awareness Trust, an organisation aiming to establish a novel platform advancing access to information regarding the disease for individuals affected by it.

The exclusive event with only 100 tickets made available, has attracted a diverse group of attendees. These esteemed guests have generously contributed to the charity in order to secure their attendance, in what will be an outstanding event for the Cotswolds.

Although tickets for this highly anticipated event have been completely sold out, the Cancer Platform announced “We’re offering two lucky fans the opportunity to join us for the evening with Andy Taylor & special guests in this VIP experience. Want to find out how to enter?”

We’re offering two lucky fans the opportunity to join us for the evening with @AndyTaylorLives & special guests in this VIP experience.

We’re offering two lucky fans the opportunity to join us for the evening with @AndyTaylorLives & special guests in this VIP experience.

Want to find out how to enter? https://t.co/7pXFVrixCS

— Cancer Platform (@thecancerplat) September 29, 2023

Although this event is sold out, you can still support Cancer Platform by bidding on incredible items in their Silent Auction or  by joining their thrilling Live Auction at 10:15pm BST on Saturday 21st October.

I’m so excited our memoir is out today!@Waterstones @WHSmith pic.twitter.com/w58RuOB6GZ

— Pepsi DemacqueC (@PepsiDemacqueC) September 30, 2021

The duo is known for being the backing singers in the band Wham, with the late singer and songwriter George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley (backing vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and producer) in the 1980’s. Kemp also dated Ridgeley for a few years in the 80s and DeMacque-Crockett joined the band following the departure of DC Lee (Singer). It was then that DeMacque-Crockett and Kemp formed their special friendship. DeMacque-Crockett and Kemp attended a book signing yesterday September 30th in Leeds to mark the release of their new book.

Looking forward to our @waterstones book signing in Leeds tonight with @PepsiDemacqueC for our new book It’s All In Black & White pic.twitter.com/fofoj2ZYDN — Shirlie Kemp (@Shirliekemp) September 30, 2021

Kemp explains that the book title refers to the duo putting their words into ink for their book and DeMacque-Crockett explained that the book title also refers to Kemp viewing everything in black and white. The book starts off with the duo detailing their special bond and how their friendship began in 1982 on a windy day outside Finsbury Park tube station. The duo in reference to the evolution of their book stated “We have been inspired now to put our memories on the page after many years of requests, reminiscing of our time in the spotlight, on and off the stage” 

In an interview, Kemp said of her time in the band “It was a very innocent time of experiencing fame. “I just felt so lucky to be touring England and then the world. It was like a free holiday constantly” DeMacque-Crockett stated that she feels that the late George Michael has been sending the duo messages of support for their book release and said in the same interview “I’m quite emotional actually. I’ve been walking into the hotel foyer and every time one of George’s songs comes on. I think he’s got his fairy dust on our book, wishing us well”

The duo both agreed that being part of the band was hard work and were supported by Ridgeley when they paid their public respect and tributes to Michael following his sad passing in December 2016. The duo formed their group Pepsi and Shirlie when Wham disbanded in 1986 and released 5 singles as well as the memorable debut single“Heartache” (1987) which debuted at number 2 in the UK Official Singles Charts. (1987). The single was kept off the number 1 spot by Michael and Aretha Franklin’s single “I knew You Were Waiting”  (1986) The single Goodbye Stranger” (1987) quickly followed reaching number 9 in the UK Official Singles Charts.

The duo disbanded to pursue family life and seek alternate careers and teamed up again for their 10th Anniversary Here and Now Tour in 2011. Kemp married Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet in 1988. Their daughter Harley Moon Kemp was born in 1989 and her son Roman Kemp (Radio Host and TV Personality) was born in 1993. In 2019 Kemp released an album In The Swing of It with her husband and they also wrote their book It’s A Love Story in 2020. Kemp also worked for Michael’s record label Aegean in 1997 and recently appeared in her son’s documentary Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency.

DeMacque-Crockett went on to work as a film and TV actor and portrayed Josephine Baker on-screen and completed a stint in the production of Hair at the Old Vic Theatre. DeMacque-Crockett moved to St Lucia with her husband where they operate a charter sailing business and is currently in England promoting the duo’s new book.

Ajda Vucicevic (Wellbeck Editorial Director) who worked with the duo on their book said “I’ve long admired Pepsi and Shirlie, so it is a dream come true to work with them on their book. “They have the most extraordinary connection as friends that we can all learn from” Pepsi and Shirlie’s book has been described as “A story of love, heartbreak, determination, and above all the unbreakable bond of friendship”

Pepsi and Shirlie’s book ‘It’s All In Black & White: Wham! Life and Friendship’ is now available to order online and in all participating stores.