Choir eyes Christmas number one with festive single

A BIG Sing choir attracted attention after performing on Britain's Got Talent

Singers who wowed judges on hit TV show Britain's Got Talent are now hoping to top the charts this Christmas with a new festive single.

The BIG Sing, an inclusive singing group with 10 choirs across Essex, released If Love Could Just Be Love in aid of its SOUL charity earlier this month.

The track, described as being "what the world needs to hear right now", immediately shot into the iTunes chart, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mariah Carey.

Gemma Francis, director and co-founder of the BIG Sing, said: "We made it to Number 21 in less than 24 hours, which was amazing. This song is so special to us."

The BIG Sing's new single entered the iTunes chart 24 hours after its release

"The song is what the world needs to hear right now. If love could just be love then the world would just be such a better place," she added.

"Our whole message is about promoting love, faith and joy, and our prayer is that this song will make a massive impact in the societies we live in.

"Music is so powerful, it can help people overcome isolation, depression, loneliness, and illnesses. We are so proud of the choir."

The BIG Sing, which recently won a National Entertainment Award for Community Impact, was founded in Witham.

It came to wider attention after one its choirs appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, impressing judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden.

Its singers, from across Essex, London, Kent and the Midlands, have performed alongside the likes of Ellie Goulding, Tom Walker and toured with Leona Lewis.

The group strives to make singing as inclusive as possible and its choirs often perform in care homes, schools and nurseries, and for disabled residents.

'Don't let Mariah beat us'

Maldon choir member Linda Allen hopes the new single, written by the group’s co-founder and musical director, Howard Francis, will make it to Christmas number one.

"It would be our dream and we would absolutely love it because this song is inspirational for everyone," she said.

"Mariah Carey has just overtaken us so we keep saying ‘Don’t let Mariah beat us’ but we just can’t believe it and we are totally gobsmacked.

"We believe in this so much and what the BIG Sing does that it would be so wonderful if this message could get to number one."