SUMMER is almost upon us… but a Colchester singer is getting in the Christmas spirit early, launching a bid for the hotly contested Christmas number one.
Stevi Ritchie rose to fame appearing on ITV’s The X Factor in 2014, finishing sixth.
Following his stint on the programme, which reached millions of screens in homes across the country every week, Stevi became a familiar face.
Appearances on the likes of Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Celebrity Big Brother followed, and he also signed a deal with Sony Music Japan.
Since then, the former wrestler has focused more on his stage and theatre output and starred in various pantomimes.
But now, Stevi has returned to a recording studio once again to record what he hopes will be this year’s Christmas number one – ‘The Magic at Christmas’.
Speaking to BBC Essex, the singer from Colchester joked: “LadBaby I’m coming for ya! You’re getting off the top this year.
“It’s time for Stevi Ritchie – the man, the myth, the legend – to come back.
“This song is about bringing people together. It’s bringing back the tradition of a fantastic traditional family Christmas song.”
The proceeds from the festive song will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, which provides vital funding for the world-renowned hospital.
For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
He continued: “I can’t wait to do it. It’s going to be a banger.
“I’m hoping the whole of Essex, and the whole of the UK, buys the single as all the proceeds go to [the charity]. They’re the star – I’m just the singer and the artist.”
The 42-year-old teased the song will see him belt out a high note, joking he will “really have to squeeze his butt-cheeks together” to hit it.
Stevi returned to our screens in March, taking part in a sketch for Red Nose Day alongside other familiar X Factor faces, including former presenter and ex-Colchester schoolboy Dermot O’Leary.
The performer was a pupil at Stanway School and previously worked at a Colchester call centre before being mentored by music mogul Simon Cowell in the popular telly singing contest.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here