'I love Sooty's Xmas song as it's powerful and raising money for a good cause'

29 November 2023 , 22:59

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The Christmas charity single is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital

Sooty’s in the mood for Christmas, which is surely the best justification yet to get the decs up in November. What’s more, he’s in the mood for it to the tune of The Nolans’ I’m in the Mood for Dancing (I’ll just let you hum that to yourself for a moment… get the idea?)

As covers go, it’s a surprise to be fair. And let’s give some credit to the eternally overlooked Soo on the mic because Sooty hasn’t suddenly found his voice (he’s on drums, who knew?) But with proceeds of this Christmas hit heading to Great Ormond Street Hospital, I’m with the bear.

Yes, Asda gets Michael Buble, but you can’t argue with the pulling power of Sooty. It does feel like a particularly musical week. Only narrowly trumping our furry friend, on Sunday I went to see Francis Rossi, from Status Quo. We go back a long way, he was a mate of Brian’s.

Linda Nolan attending the best Heroes Awards 2023 in October (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hearst)

Linda is seeing a consultant for her scan results (Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com)

His playing was unbelievable and afterwards I was taken like a groupie to his tour bus. It’s beautiful inside, a bedroom, lounge, moody lighting (that wasn’t for me, I can assure you). There he was eating cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches – rock ‘n’ roll is dead!

He’s been so lovely, asking how I am. In showbusiness, you can have millions of acquaintances but you can count true friends on your fingers. As I write this, I’m also hoping I get to see in concert my idol, Donny Osmond. Yes, full disclosure, when I was 13 I had a Donny pillow.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

I’ve been lucky enough to meet him a few times over the years. The only thing that’s worrying me is a sharp pain I’ve developed down my left side. It comes out of nowhere.

When I had chemo on Monday the nurses said I should contact a doctor. I felt like saying, er, I am in a hospital… Anyway, I’m seeing my consultant for my scan results soon as it is, so I’ll park it for now. Music is good for the soul and I’m in the mood for Donny – so very little is going to stop me getting there.

Linda Nolan