We sat down with the legend that is Limahl to ask him a few questions about his latest release, his Christmas memories of home and lots more! Grab a cup of something warm and settle in to this interview.
You’re re-releasing your Christmas track ‘One Wish For Christmas’ this December. What made now feel like the right moment to bring this song back into the spotlight?
Because I’m genuinely proud of it. With Jon Nickoll and Ian Curnow, we worked hard to craft a new melody, a fresh lyric and a production that felt special. Each decade since the 1940s has delivered at least one Christmas classic — songs that return like old friends every year. Plus, I’ll admit, I’ve got a bit of a bee in my bonnet about the big four (Sony, Warner, Universal, BMG) dominating the music industry. I’d love to prove that a heritage artist releasing independently can still break through. No pressure on One Wish For Christmas… right?😊
The video has already racked up more than 72,000 views. How does it feel seeing a festive song you wrote resonate with a new audience?
I’m also incredibly proud of the video. It took a huge creative team — directors, cinematographer, choreographer, dancers, musicians, a theatre . . . the whole production circus. You film for hours across multiple locations, hoping to catch the lightning in a bottle. When I saw the final edit, I was honestly blown away, and the YouTube comments have totally backed that up.
P.S. Co-writer Jon Nickoll is the one playing piano in the video.
You’ve spoken about Christmas being “pure magic” growing up in Wigan. If you could bottle one childhood Christmas moment, what would it be?
Very tough to choose just one memory… but overall it was the thrill of racing downstairs at dawn to see what was waiting under the tree — especially the presents with my name on them. With two older brothers and a younger sister, we always wanted games that would keep us all busy: Monopoly, Snakes & Ladders, dominoes, table tennis, darts, and even a bit of snooker. Pure Christmas chaos — the good kind.
Has your relationship with Christmas changed over the years, and does that influence how you hear the song today? Do you think platforms like TikTok are changing the way artists connect with fans?
It’s easy to slip into cynicism these days, but Christmas has this magical way of pulling us back into our feelings. I love the old traditions — decorating the tree, gathering with family, and of course, the legendary Christmas dinner. Every December, I find myself rediscovering One Wish For Christmas, and it still makes me smile. I’ve now accepted that, for the rest of my life, my Decembers may revolve around the song — whether it’s promotion, performances or TV spots — and honestly, I’m not complaining. TikTok and social media have completely transformed how artists connect with people. Back in the Kajagoogoo days, our “fan interaction” was a physical fan-club card and a quarterly paper newsletter that arrived by snail mail. Now everything’s instant — and I have to say, I rather enjoy the new world.
You performed ‘Too Shy’ live for Comic Relief this year, contributing to an incredible £34m raised. What did it mean to you to be part of that moment?
I believe 100% in supporting good causes, so saying yes to performing Too Shy for Comic Relief 2025 was a no-brainer. In the green room before the live broadcast, I found myself chatting with Rylan Clark, Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall — the pre-show buzz was electric. And of course, I had to ring my mum in Wigan to tell her I was going to be on the telly . . . she’s still so proud, which makes it all the more special.
You’ve supported several major charity events recently, from SENSE to the Terrence Higgins Trust. What draws you to philanthropic work?
It’s really about giving back — showing gratitude for the opportunities and successes life has given you. If I can use my talents for good — performing, speaking, or creating art for charity — it’s a wonderful way to merge work with purpose. I’ve had personal experience with charities too: as a teen, I reached out to the ‘Samaritans’ and visited the Wigan Salvation Army’ while struggling with my sexual identity. And I’ll never forget my mum calling the NSPCC when my dad’s drinking became out of hand and sometimes abusive. These experiences stay with you and make supporting charities feel even more meaningful.
If you had “one wish” for your own career in the coming year, what would it be?
I’m a bit superstitious, so I try not to wish too hard — but professionally, I’d love for my recent solo tracks — Still In Love, A Horse With No Name and One Wish For Christmas — to reach a wider audience, maybe through a movie or TV commercial. With today’s social media, anything seems possible! I’ve already had one very intriguing enquiry about Horse, but I’ll keep it under wraps for now — don’t wanna jinx it. Personally, I just hope to stay healthy and keep enjoying life. 💪
Limahl’s new Christmas single, One Wish For Christmas, is out now via Christopher Music.
More information about Limahl can be found at: https://ffm.to/onewishforchristmas and http://www.limahl.com
