Vamps star 'privileged' to sing on Christmas single for Julia's House
- Published
James Brittain-McVey makes a guest appearance on the Julia's House Christmas song
A star of pop band The Vamps has said featuring on a Christmas single for a children's hospice was a "privilege" and an ambition fulfilled.
James Brittain-McVey, the chart-topping act's lead guitarist, appears as a guest vocalist on a version of Silent Night recorded in aid of Dorset and Wiltshire-based Julia's House.
A patron of the charity, he said the hospice's work was "so special".
The promotional video is set to be shown at a Christmas fundraising event.
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It also features a choir made up of Julia's House staff and volunteers, who provide specialist support for seriously ill children and end of life care - either in family homes or at its two hospices - in Corfe Mullen and Devizes.
Brittain-McVey, who grew up in Bournemouth, was asked to perform on its version of Silent Night, with alternative lyrics to reflect the work of the charity, which he recorded during the summer.
"It was a bit strange trying to get into the festive cheer in August," he told the BBC.
He said Julia's House had always been "a big part of my life".
The single is raising money for the Julia's House Christmas appeal
"To have a charity that does so much for the children and also their families - they support everyone - that's just so special to me," he said.
"I always thought when I was starting out on the Dorset pub scene, if I every got anywhere with music, I'd love to work with Julia's House - so I'm really privileged to be able to support them now.
Brittain-McVey performed on the revamp of the traditional Christmas carol alongside Braishfield String Quartet, Dorset pianist Matt Black and five-piece band The Defectors.
The project was also helped with donated recording studio time and students from Arts University Bournemouth filming a video.
The video will be screened at a fundraising Carols by Candlelight at St James' Church in Poole later, which will also include the Julia's House Choir singing another revamped festive classic, The 12 Days of Christmas.
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