On My Mind

I have been lucky enough to see so many great shows and concerts in recent weeks that I feel I've been getting rather Christmassy for a while.

But I know there are two events that will truly have me in the festive mood next week: the much anticipated Southampton Mayflower panto Robin Hood starring Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace - aka Kat and Alfie Moon from EastEnders - and my annual trip to the That'll Be the Day Christmas show over at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Cynics are often quick to shoot down soap stars headlining pantomimes but seasoned theatre performer Shane Richie is a sure-fire winner and with Jessie playing his love interest this should be a match made in heaven.

I look forward to the That'll Be the Day Christmas show in the same way that I looked forward to the Morecambe and Wise Christmas show on TV when I was a child. It's an uplifting evening of comedy, music and good old fashioned variety featuring all those Christmas-themed and Christmas time chart toppers that never seem to grow old.

The two songs that stand out above all others are Fairytale of New York by the Pogues ( featuring Kirsty Maccoll) and my absolute favourite 'Merry Xmas Everybody'- the 1973 smash hit from Slade.

It's jolly exciting that Slade will be playing at Salisbury City Hall tomorrow night although sadly Noddy Holder no longer fronts the band.This got me thinking about what the Christmas charts have to offer this year compared to my youth when we would all rush through Christmas dinner to watch Top of the Pops.

The bookies are busy calculating the odds for that coveted UK Christmas No1 as all manner of contenders launch their bid to go down in the Official Charts history books.

Of course not all the festive chart-toppers have been worthy winners with Bob the Builder, Mr Blobby and Rage Against the Machine really putting a dampener on it!

But whoever wins the race this year will join the likes of The Spice Girls, Michael Jackson and Queen to secure their place in music history.

2016 is going to be an interesting one - a battle of the Christmas ad singles, Facebook campaigns, talent show winners and a certain iconic pop!

Yes, the top contenders include the 1996 Spice Girl's track '2 Become 1' and it's all down to a Facebook campaign by a group of dedicated fans, who want to see the iconic ballad top the charts exactly 20 years after it originally won it.

But giving his mum 'Posh Spice' ( Victoria Beckham) a run for her money will be 11-year-old Cruz Beckham singing 'If Everyday was Christmas'. The track seems to tick all the right boxes being one part 'Jingle Bells', one part 'Puppy Love', with Cruz's vocal being compared to a young Justin Bieber.

Also in the mix will be the X Factor winner Matt Terry singing 'When Christmas Comes Around' which is written by the mighty Ed Sheeran. Despite being hailed as the new Olly Murs I feel Olly has nothing to worry about.

I think the Vaults 'One Day I'll Fly Away',as featured in a TV ad, has more chance of success. The London electro band release is an atmospheric Christmas tune and Bounce the Boxer and his trampoline could very well send this to the top too.

And then there is Gareth Malone, Terry Wogan's Floral Dance and Kylie all throwing their hat in the ring...I wouldn't like to be a betting woman! Merry Christmas Everybody!

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