Army of fans take Military Wives straight to No1 spot

The Military Wives choir has marched to the top of the charts, taking the coveted Christmas No1 spot and outselling the rest of the top tensingles combined.

Wherever You Are also became the became the fastest-selling single since X Factor winner Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah sold 576,000 in its first week in December 2008.

The hit single has made stars of Scottish choir members Samantha Stevenson and Kirsty Cunningham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Stevenson, a former member of a children’s choir in Perth, has found fame as the soloist and main voice of the Military Wives.

The 28-year-old gave up a place to study music at Edinburgh University when she met her husband, John, who is now a Lance Corporal of the 24 Commando Regiment, Royal Engineers.

Mrs Stevenson, who signed up for the Military Wives while her husband was on a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said that the experience had changed her life. “We didn’t know how big it was going to be,” she said.

“Never in a million years did we think people would be backing us for the Christmas No1. It’s wonderful.”

Mother of two Mrs Cunningham, 31, said her musical career began by singing to her husband during his time on the frontline in Afghanistan.

“Paul knew what we were doing and so he always wanted to hear the songs,” she said.

“I would sing them to him on the phone and he would join in.

“Once the whole choir got to sing to the men live on a satellite link-up while they were at their base.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Cunningham, who is originally from Glasgow, was part of the choir put together by conductor Gareth Malone for the BBC2 show The Choir.

Proceeds from the single are being donated to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.

Mr Malone said: “This is so surreal. Who would have guessed in those first rehearsals that we could take Christmas No1?

“It’s testament to the Military Wives’ hard work and the nation’s support of them, as well as the power of choral singing.

“It’s a winning combination – a Christmas No1 winning combination. The support of the British military for the choir has been fantastic. I’m delighted that they have found their voice. We did it.”

The Military Wives received a boost for its fundraising efforts, when the UK government said it would waive VAT on sales of the single.

The Treasury will give the money to charity in lieu of the tax taken from sales, having last month agreed to a similar gesture for the X Factor’s charity single.

The Military Wives track has also become the 60th official Christmas No1 of all time and winners of the first official singles chart No1 award.

The award is being launched ahead of next year’s 60th anniversary of the singles chart.