Pop icon Peter Andre, who has just been appointed as On the Beach’s Head of Summer Holidays, is pleading with radio stations to listen to the British public and stop broadcasting the classic Christmas song ‘Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ out of respect, since the vast majority of the population (85%) firmly agree the song is factually incorrect.
Legendary singer and television personality, Peter Andre has now penned an open letter issue to all radio stations in the UK on behalf of Brits who believe that irrespective of Andy Williams’ festive classic claim, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year.
He 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.
“In my new role, 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?”
In the letter, Peter challenges Section 3 of the CAP Broadcast Code, suggesting the song is false advertising and he has data that confirms this.
It reads:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study reveals strength of feeling on the matter
A new poll compiled by travel giants On the Beach discovered a whopping 60% of the nation would swap gift giving and boughs of holly for a summer jolly, preferring to skip Christmas in favour of a beach getaway.
The study, which quizzed 2,000 people on their Christmas and holiday habits, also found more than three quarters of Brits (78%) believe that summer holidays are better than Christmas.
More than half of those surveyed (57%) say they are either dreading or unexcited about Christmas this year, and while 38% say they are Christmas lovers generally, the same amount of the population (39%) now identify as “Christmas neutral” with this indifference begging the question of whether Brits are falling out of love with the festive season.
Zoe Harris is chief customer officer at On the Beach and is backing Peter to the hilt.
She said: “We could not agree with Pete more. The survey findings clearly demonstrate a shift of preference to holidays being more magical and memorable than Christmas. People want to enjoy experiences rather than be gifted a material present.
“What’s more, people want to take time for themselves during precious days away from work,
