Peter Andre calls for radio stations to ban classic Christmas song: ‘It gives listeners false hope’-Samuel McManus-Entertainment – Metro

Peter Andre is calling for radio stations to ban Andy Williams’ Christmas classic (Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep/Getty)

Peter Andre has written an open letter to all UK radio stations asking them to stop playing a festive classic after deciding that Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of year after all.

Andy Williams’ 1963 classic It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is synonymous with the Christmas period – and is even sitting at number 22 on the UK’s official singles chart this week.

But 49-year-old Peter believes that the song is incorrect and that summer holidays are more wonderful than ‘repetitive and pressurising’ Christmas.

And it seems that the majority of us agree with the former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star, with 85% of the British public quizzed by travel company On the Beach saying the song is factually incorrect.

Writing in his open letter to all radio stations in the UK, Peter said: ‘The results of the survey do not surprise me. Sure, festive frolics are fun but let’s face it, Christmas can get repetitive and pressurising.

‘It’s much more exciting to visit new places, experience new things and make meaningful memories, and there’s no better place to do that than on holiday.

Peter thinks summer holidays are actually the most wonderful time of the year (Picture: BDC Images/BACKGRID)

‘In my new role [as Head of Summer Holidays], all I can do now is politely ask radio stations to respect the British people’s viewpoint and not play It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at Christmas anymore. Perhaps they can play it on a loop in July instead?’

Challenging Section 3 of the CAP Broadcast Code, Peter even accuses radio stations of false advertising by playing the song in the run-up to December 25.

‘By playing this track you are giving your listeners false hope that Christmas and winter in general is the most wonderful time of the year, when in fact, it isn’t,’ he writes.

‘And I even have data to prove it! Recent findings from On the Beach have confirmed what we already suspected; 78% of people, so more than three-quarters of Brits, believe that going on holiday is better than Christmas.

‘Therefore, unsurprisingly, the vast majority of the population (85%) agree the Andy Williams song is factually incorrect, proving Christmas simply is not the most wonderful time of the year. While I acknowledge there are some extremely pleasant moments during Yuletide festivities, these are normally fleeting and often come with a busy schedule, an empty wallet and not much to show otherwise.

Sorry, Andy, it turns out Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of year after all… (Picture: Getty Images)

Pete’s clearly determined not to let this Christmas be a turkey in his new role as Head of Summer Holidays for On The Beach… (Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep)

‘Strip back the gift-giving, tinsel and twinkly lights and people are left with the stark reality that this time of year is cold, dark, and expensive.’

The father-of-four adds: ‘Factor in the cost-of-living crisis, national strikes, overall price hikes and general low mood of the nation and you get my drift.  Without sounding like the Grinch, but instead as proud Head of Summer Holidays for On the Beach, I put it to you Sir or Madam, overseas getaways are the most wonderful time of the year instead. 

‘A time to make memories with loved ones, splash around in the sea with the kids, enjoy sunsets on the beach, and truly discover yourself again. These are all the magical factors that constitute it being the most wonderful time of the year. ’

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‘So, I am urging you to refrain from playing what is in fact misleading the public. And my request is backed up by solid data compiled by On the Beach,’ he finished.

Bah humbug to you too, Pete!

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