Every year, people eagerly wait to find out which song will become the Christmas number one hit, achieving a place in music history.
Many classic holiday songs have become huge hits, topping the charts thanks to artists like Wham, Whitney Houston, and East 17 – sometimes intentionally, sometimes by surprise.
Even though these songs are beloved holiday classics, many of the artists behind them have faced difficult times, from the heartbreaking loss of George Michael to legal issues for the band East 17.
Even the famous musicians involved with Band Aid, especially its founder Bob Geldof, have faced many difficulties in their lives.
Although many X Factor contestants have topped the Christmas charts, a lot of them haven’t achieved lasting success after the show, and some have even publicly criticized their time on it.
Some of the most beloved Christmas songs have surprisingly sad stories behind them…
1962 – Elvis Presley – Return To Sender
Elvis had a famously romantic song in his movie Girls, Girls, Girls! and, even though holiday music charts were just starting to become popular, the song quickly hit number one.
This legendary musician created hits like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” and remains a hugely popular artist, even though he first became famous over 60 years ago in 1956.
Elvis Presley faced many well-known difficulties with fame, and sadly passed away in 1977 at the age of 42 from an irregular heartbeat at his home, Graceland.
At first, people believed drugs weren’t a factor in Elvis’s death, but later tests showed he had several opioids, like Valium, in his body.
The singer’s health had been getting worse for some time, and he had become severely overweight, reportedly weighing around 350 pounds.
The medical examination revealed the man had long-term issues with severe constipation, as well as diabetes and glaucoma.
1971 – Benny Hill – Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)
Jack Benny became surprisingly famous in 1971 with a humorous song that referenced his past job as a milkman in Hampshire. His comedy was known for being suggestive and playful.
The Benny Hill Show became incredibly popular around the world, and when it started broadcasting in the United States in the 1970s, it made him a household name.
He was famous for his wild and often suggestive humor, which included jokes about attractive young actresses, physical comedy, and dressing in women’s clothes.
Over time, his comedic style fell out of favor as public preferences evolved. While some fondly remember The Benny Hill Show, others view it as crude and displaying sexist attitudes.
Hollywood journalist Craig Bennett remembered having a long conversation with Sarah Kemp, a close friend of the comedian who sadly passed away, about Hill.
Ms. Kemp says Hill often opened up to her, sharing his feelings of loneliness and insecurity about his appearance and ability to connect with women, which was a stark contrast to the confident, sexual image he portrayed on screen.
Despite earning millions from The Benny Hill Show, the actor, now deceased, was remarkably thrifty and had a strong fear of spending money.
I was so saddened to hear about Leslie Phillips’ passing. His health really started to fail towards the end of the 80s, and he sadly died in London on April 20th, 1992, at the age of 68. It had been just two months after a minor heart attack, and the doctors determined it was due to a blood clot in his heart.
1975 and 1991 – Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” reached the top of the UK Christmas charts twice, initially in 1975 when the song and its famous music video were first released.
Okay, so this song… it was huge when it first came out, but then, years later – sixteen years, can you believe it?! – it shot right back to number one. It was after Freddie… after he passed away. Honestly, it felt like the whole world was listening, remembering him. It was beautiful, but so heartbreaking. It just proves how much everyone loved him and the song, you know?
The news of Freddie’s death from pneumonia caused by AIDS deeply impacted the music community, especially since he had only revealed his diagnosis the day before.
Just over 24 hours before his death, Freddie Mercury publicly announced that he had tested positive for HIV and had AIDS, following weeks of media speculation.
I’ve kept this information private until now to protect everyone involved.
Now, I want to share the truth with my friends and fans everywhere, and I hope you’ll stand with me, my doctors, and people around the world as we battle this difficult illness.
Brian May, a fellow member of the band, had also expressed his sorrow that Freddie passed away just before medications to treat his condition became widely available.
Queen has sold over 300 million albums and singles worldwide, placing them among the best-selling music artists ever. They rank fourth in total sales, following only The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley.
Oh my gosh, Bohemian Rhapsody! It came out in 2018 and it was just… everything. It told Freddie’s incredible story, and people loved it – it made over a billion dollars worldwide! And Rami Malek? Forget about it! He became Freddie, and rightfully won an Oscar for his performance. I still get chills thinking about it!
1984 – Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Band Aid was a groundbreaking charity single created by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. They brought together many of the most popular musicians of the 1980s to record a song and raise money for people in Ethiopia who were suffering from a terrible famine.
The song became the standard for future charity singles, but despite its success, even Bob has found it difficult to cope with the negative aspects of being famous.
When Bob Geldof was six years old, his mother, Evelyn, tragically passed away from a brain hemorrhage – a type of stroke caused by bleeding inside the skull. She was only 41 years old.
In 1976, the rock star started a relationship with Paula Yates, a television personality best known for hosting the music program The Tube during the 1980s.
I was so thrilled when Bob and Meg welcomed their daughter, Fifi Trixibelle! They eventually got married in 1986, and then they had two more daughters, Peaches and Pixie. It was wonderful watching their family grow!
Paula and Bob Geldof’s relationship suffered when the presenter had an affair. In a 2023 Channel 4 documentary titled ‘Paula,’ singer Terence Trent D’Arby shared that Geldof once confronted him at a New York City hotel, directly asking if he was having an affair with Paula.
In 1995, Paula became famous for leaving her husband to be with Australian musician Michael Hutchence. She had interviewed him the previous year on the TV show, The Big Breakfast.
In July 1996, the celebrity couple had a daughter named Tiger Lily Hutchence. Sadly, Michael passed away the next year in a Sydney hotel.
The coroner determined that Michael died by suicide while struggling with depression and had alcohol and drugs in his system. However, his death was never formally investigated in a public inquiry.
Paula Yates believed her partner probably died accidentally during a risky sexual act, explaining they had previously experimented with similar activities involving self-stimulation.
Tragically, Paula died in 2000 at her Notting Hill home after an accidental heroin overdose.
Four-year-old Tiger Lily alerted someone to a problem when she told a friend of Paula’s, who was on the phone, that she couldn’t wake her mother.
After the death of both her parents, Tiger Lily was formally adopted by her three sisters’ father.
In 2014, Sir Bob Geldof’s daughter, Peaches, tragically died from a drug overdose. The amount of drugs in her system was ten times higher than the level that had caused her mother’s death.
The mother of two died one night, and her baby, Phaedra, was left unattended for as long as 17 hours after she overdosed.
The coroner stated that the TV personality, model, and journalist had been working to overcome drug use and had been drug-free for five months prior to her death.
I was so saddened to hear that, despite her efforts, she struggled again in February. Apparently, her husband, Thomas Cohen, shared with the court that she had begun using heroin again and was secretly hiding it in the attic of their home in Wroxham, Kent. It’s just heartbreaking to imagine.
Following the death of his daughter, Peaches, Sir Bob Geldof shared with Lorraine Kelly that the grief was incredibly difficult to bear. He also expressed a desire for his grandchildren to be raised outside of the public attention and drama surrounding his family.
1992 – Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
Considering it’s already a hugely popular song, it’s not surprising that Whitney Houston’s signature hit also reached number one during the holidays.
Whitney Houston’s iconic Christmas song from the 1992 movie The Bodyguard was number one in the UK for ten weeks.
Whitney Houston struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years, and also faced personal difficulties with her identity while going through a difficult marriage with Bobby Brown.
The singer was found unresponsive in her hotel bathtub on the night before the 2012 Grammy Awards and sadly passed away.
Her death was ruled an accident, caused by drowning, as the result of a heart attack.
The coroner determined that traces of cocaine in her system contributed to her death.
Oh my gosh, Whitney and Bobby… they were EVERYTHING. They got married back in ’92, and I followed their relationship so closely! It was amazing to see them together, two superstars. They had a beautiful daughter, Bobbi Kristina, who I adored. It absolutely broke my heart when she passed away so young, just 22 years old, in 2015. It was devastating, truly. I still think about them all the time.
Bobbi was discovered unconscious in her bathtub at her home in Georgia. She remained in a medically induced coma for the last six months of her life.
1994 – East 17 – Stay Another Day
East 17 is famous for their Christmas hit “Stay Another Day,” with its memorable snowy music video and oversized hooded jackets. However, the band has also faced its share of difficulties.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind popular songs. It’s incredibly moving to learn that the seemingly upbeat Christmas hit was actually born from a deeply personal tragedy. Tony Mortimer, the artist behind the song, recently shared that it was inspired by the loss of his brother to suicide. He explained it’s really about heartbreak and the pain of missing someone you love – a sentiment that, sadly, resonates with so many, even around the holidays.
The song resonates with people, and I think that’s why it’s popular. While some may have connected with it out of sympathy, it’s also a really nostalgic Christmas song that encourages reflection on the past year and fond memories.
The band faced a major setback in 1997 when their lead singer, Brian Harvey, was fired after publicly admitting to using drugs.
Over the years, East 17 went through several changes in its members, and the original singers all experienced different levels of success afterward.
The four members have had very public disagreements, faced money problems, and haven’t performed together – except for Terry.
Brian Harvey has faced significant hardship, surviving a stabbing in 2001 and a near-fatal car accident in 2005.
He has since built up a large following on social media.
1995 – Michael Jackson – Earth Song
After twenty years of successful songs, Michael finally achieved his first Christmas number one with “Earth Song,” a song focused on environmental issues.
Just two years before, the actor’s career faced a major crisis when he was accused of inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch home.
Investigators thoroughly searched the property but found no evidence to support the claim.
In December, he went on television to strongly deny the accusations against him. His detailed statement received widespread international attention, and he called the investigation a deeply humiliating experience, stating that no one should have to endure such a hardship.
Honestly, the whole thing just destroyed Michael. It was heartbreaking to watch. After all the amazing things he’d done, that scandal really stuck to him. His ‘HIStory’ album in ’95? It was good, but… it just wasn’t the same. He never quite reached those incredible heights again, and it felt like that scandal was the reason. It genuinely broke my heart as a fan.
In 2002, Michael faced criticism after photos surfaced of him dangling his infant son, Blanket, over a balcony in Berlin, Germany.
In 2003, two days after a search of his Neverland Ranch, he was arrested in Santa Barbara. He faced ten charges, including inappropriate behavior with a child, plotting to kidnap a child, unlawfully holding someone captive, and using threats to obtain something.
After the second trial, Michael Jackson’s public image suffered, and he largely stayed out of the spotlight for several years before his death in 2009. He was preparing for a comeback tour with a series of concerts scheduled at London’s O2 Arena.
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. An investigation in February 2010 concluded that his death was caused by a dangerous level of the drug propofol in his system.
As a longtime fan, it was heartbreaking to learn the details surrounding Michael’s passing. Apparently, Dr. Murray, his personal physician, gave him a strong anesthetic, and Michael actually referred to it as ‘milk.’ He told investigators that Michael needed help sleeping and that’s why he asked for it, receiving it through an IV drip. It’s just so tragic and hard to process.
2005 – Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
Shayne Ward was only the second winner of The X Factor, but his song “That’s My Goal” started a tradition of the show producing popular Christmas number one hits.
The single sold an impressive 313,000 copies on its first day, making it the fourth fastest-selling song ever, following only Will Young’s “Evergreen,” Gareth Gates’s “Unchained Melody,” and Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind.”
I was absolutely thrilled when this incredibly talented singer, originally from Tameside, landed a million-pound record deal with Syco! They released his first album, simply titled after his name, back in 2006, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Shayne’s second album, Breathless, was also a success, reaching number two on the charts. However, after his third album in 2010 didn’t perform well, the record label decided not to renew his contract.
He began acting in 2011, taking the lead role in the musical Rock Of Ages in London’s West End. Then, in 2013, he demonstrated his skating abilities on the reality TV show Dancing On Ice.
Shayne paused his music career in 2015 when he began playing Aiden Connor on Coronation Street. Sadly, his character was written off the show in 2018 with a difficult storyline about suicide.
2007 – Leon Jackson – When You Believe
As a style enthusiast, I still remember when Leon Jackson burst onto the scene! This incredibly talented singer from West Lothian, Scotland, totally captivated the UK back in 2007 when he won The X Factor. He wasn’t just a great vocalist, though – his fashion sense was on point, with a really modern, uneven haircut and impeccably tailored suits. He definitely knew how to make a statement!
Surprisingly, his song – a solo version of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s duet, “When You Believe” – became the Christmas number one that year.
Reports claim it sold 40 copies a minute in Woolworths at its peak.
But poor Leon slowly fell out of the limelight.
His second song, “Don’t Call This Love,” reached number three on the charts, and his first album, “Right Now,” only climbed to number four. He was let go by Syco Records in 2009.
Leon is said to have turned his hand to song-writing.
2010 – Matt Cardle – When We Collide
Matt Cardle, a 32-year-old who used to be a painter and decorator, won the 2010 season of The X Factor. He charmed viewers with his genuine personality and signature style of wearing flat caps.
As a lifestyle observer, I have to say the results were a bit unexpected! While everyone was getting to know One Direction – who really burst onto the scene during that season – it was a lovely surprise to see who ultimately took home the win. And let’s not forget Rebecca Ferguson, who was a very strong contender and has gone on to have an incredible career herself!
The winning song from the Essex stud – a reimagined version of Biffy Clyro’s ballad, ‘Many of Horror,’ renamed ‘When We Collide’ – helped Syco reclaim the number one spot on the charts during the holiday season, where it remained for three weeks.
It sold an impressive 170,000 copies in its first two days on sale.
Matt’s first album, ‘Letters,’ was well-received and spent 16 weeks on the charts, reaching as high as number two.
After finding some success, the former handyman’s later songs weren’t as popular, and he left Syco and Columbia Records in 2012.
He’s put out a few albums and even worked with Mel C from the Spice Girls, and he still tours, but he hasn’t reached the same level of fame as One Direction, who finished third in the same competition back in 2010.
Matt has faced personal challenges, including struggles with addiction. In December 2013, he sought treatment at The Priory for dependency on prescription drugs and alcohol.
He said at the time, ‘I was so out of it – I was like a zombie.’
I’m so thrilled to share an update on Matt! He’s doing wonderfully as he continues his recovery journey, and has really blossomed creatively. He’s actually taken to the stage, which is fantastic! He’s had roles in some amazing productions – I was so impressed to hear he’s been in Strictly Ballroom, Jesus Christ Superstar, and & Juliet. It’s inspiring to see someone embrace life and passion after overcoming challenges.
2014 – Ben Haenow – Something I Need
Ben was the most recent X Factor winner to achieve the Christmas Number One spot, beating Fleur East with his song, ‘Something I Need’.
The singer has publicly criticized the show’s producers, arguing that contestants have no control over how they’re portrayed and that the editing is unfair.
He recently told Joanna Chimonides and Stephen Leng on their podcast that how things are edited can completely change how someone appears.
It seems like they’re focusing on developing distinct characters, which is a bit disappointing. Despite trying to present them as ordinary people, they’re clearly searching for personalities that stand out.
The singer, known for their song ‘Something I Need,’ continued to criticize how the show was edited. They explained that while participants can act and speak freely, the final edit—condensed into a half-hour or hour-long program—gives the editors complete control over how everything is portrayed.
Looking back at the year and the people involved, the way they were presented on TV didn’t match who they really were. It’s important to remember that, but once you’re on the show, you can’t control how things are portrayed.
2023 – Wham – Last Christmas
Wham!’s popular Christmas song, “Last Christmas,” originally came out in 1985, but it didn’t hit number one until over thirty years later, thanks to a long-running campaign by devoted fans.
While Wham! was a hugely popular group in the 1980s, several other performers who appeared in their famous video have faced personal difficulties, such as problems with alcohol, disagreements with each other, and legal issues.
Oh my god, George Michael! He wasn’t just the voice of Wham!, he was a total icon! I mean, the guy sold over 100 million records! And in the UK? Seven number one hits! ‘Careless Whisper’ still gives me chills, and ‘Faith’… forget about it! It was pure magic. I’ve been listening to him forever, and he just never failed to deliver. He was, and always will be, everything.
I was really saddened when Michael stepped back from performing live in 2008. He’d achieved so much, but he clearly needed a break and wanted to live a more private life, away from all the attention. It felt like he was finally prioritizing his own peace of mind, and honestly, I completely understood.
George recalled that his late twenties were a difficult period, marked by the loss of his partner, Anselmo Feleppa, to HIV, and the subsequent death of his mother.
I was really disheartened to hear about another legal issue for him back in October 2006. Apparently, he was found passed out behind the wheel of his car. Then, in May of the following year, he admitted to driving under the influence of drugs and lost his license for two years. It was a tough time, and I, like many of his fans, was worried about him.
Michael briefly retreated from public life in 2008, but quickly found himself back in the spotlight when police cautioned him for possessing both crack cocaine and other class C drugs.
George passed away on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53 from natural causes. An autopsy revealed he had fatty liver disease.
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2025-12-21 15:24