As my next album is a bona fide solo project, I want to acknowledge a few people whose talent, enthusiasm, and kindness have been invaluable — especially with the Christmas single.

I’m a bit old-fashioned when it comes to music, and I fondly remember the days when singles were vinyl, with an A and B side. After completing Christmas Time Is Here, I wanted to honour that concept.

It was Tom Nordon who reminded me of a Christmas song I had started writing two or three years ago. After digging through old hard drives, I unearthed an untitled demo of a Christmassy track. I reworked and recorded it, keeping the arrangement simple—no loud rock guitars this time—to capture an air of innocence.

While I was still finalising the title, inspiration struck one evening at my local pub. I overheard a young barmaid, Ellie Welch, quietly singing to herself. When I asked if she’d ever sung publicly, she shyly admitted she hadn’t.

That’s when the idea came to me: Ellie’s child-like voice would be perfect for the chorus. She agreed to record it, and with her boyfriend there for support, she delivered a heartfelt performance. Her contribution gave the song its final touch, and I titled it An Orphan’s Christmas Wish.

Encouraging young talent has always been a joy for me, and I’m proud to continue doing so. Ellie’s voice added something truly special to this project, and I look forward to seeing her grow in confidence.