21 Dec Peter Andre’s Christmas cover write-off
Peter Andre wanted to re-record It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year turning it into a Summer hit – but the request has been rejected by the Andy Williams estate.
The pop icon, working with On the Beach, the travel holiday experts for this tongue in cheek campaign, had the lyrics to the new version written to turn the Christmas classic into a summer holiday banger.
However, the Andy Williams estate, who On the Beach currently work with for their advert jingle rejected the request leaving Peter Andre and the travel specialists gutted.
On the Beach appointed Peter Head of Summer Holidays and he has argued that the original Williams track is outdated, factually incorrect and could do with modernising.
Earlier this week, the singer made headlines by sending an open letter to radio stations across the UK, requesting the banning of the 1963 song in its current state.
His plea was backed by research, compiled by On the Beach, which revealed the majority of Brits think summer is the most wonderful time of the year – not Christmas.
Data by the travel holiday specialists found more than three quarters of Brits (78%) believe that going on holiday is better than Christmas, while the vast majority (85%) believe the song is factually incorrect, proving Christmas simply is not the most wonderful time of the year.
Peter said: “I can’t believe it, we’ve got the lyrics, we’ve got a great summer twist on the original melody nailed and the public are being denied what could have been next Summer’s big hit.
“I hoped to make It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year about the sheer joy we experience on our summer holidays after all it really is the most wonderful time!
“It’s sad that I’m not able to do that. It would have been a guaranteed poolside playlist track.”
The straight up rejection from the Andy Williams estate has come as a shock to On the Beach bosses, who already use the It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year song in their adverts.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “We’ve done the research and the public have spoken, Summer is the most wonderful time of year. We’ve got a pop icon on board, lyrics and melody written and the prospect of a summer classic.
“We can’t believe the Andy Williams estate has blocked us from releasing it. We’re really disappointed and we’re hoping they will reconsider when they see the support for Peter.”
In the letter written to radio stations last week, Peter challenges Section 3 of the CAP Broadcast Code, suggesting the song is false advertising and the recent data confirms this.
It reads: By playing this track you are giving your listeners false hope that Christmas and winter in general is the most wonderful time of the year, when in fact, it isn’t.
And I even have data to prove it! Recent findings from On the Beach have confirmed what we already suspected; 78% of people, so more than three quarters of Brits, believe that going on holiday is better than Christmas.
Strip back the gift-giving, tinsel and twinkly lights and people are left with the stark reality that this time of year is cold, dark, and expensive.
Factor in the cost-of-living crisis, national strikes, overall price hikes and general low mood of the nation and you get my drift.
Without sounding like the Grinch, but instead as proud Head of Summer Holidays for On the Beach, I put it to you Sir or Madam, overseas getaways are the most wonderful time of the year instead.
A time to make memories with loved ones, splash around in the sea with the kids, drink cocktails as the sun sets on the beach, and truly discover yourself again.
Peter signs off the letter as:
“On the Beach, Head of Summer Holidays which are the most wonderful time of the year.”
