Bryn Terfel in bid for Christmas No.1
World-renowned bass baritone Bryn Terfel is squaring up to X-Factor in the battle for the Christmas number one, with a little help from Bing Crosby.
Bryn Terfel has recorded what's believed to be the first ever posthumous duet with the great Bing Crosby, singing the ever popular 'White Christmas'. If successful it would be Bing Crosby's first ever UK number one since charts began in 1952.
Terfel commented on the attempt: “It’s such an honour not only to be sharing a track with one of the best loved singers in the world but to be singing one of the best songs ever written (no pressure!). I hope everyone will enjoy it.”
The single appears on ‘Bryn Terfel: Carols and Christmas Songs’, which will be released on December 6th, along with some of the best loved songs and carols from the festive season.
Bookmakers William Hill have given the single odds of 6/1 to become Christmas No.1. In recent years, the festive top spot has been occupied by X Factor contestants. Last year, however, rock band Rage Against The Machine scored a surprise Christmas victory following a sweeping Facebook campaign.
'White Christmas' has been covered countless times by diverse stars including Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Doris Day and Boy George, and it's the world's best-selling song of all time, with an estimated 100 million copies of the song bought since its release almost 70 years ago.
Hear Bryn Terfel in conversation with Bob Jones on the Arts Daily podcast on Wednesday 20 October.
