SAM RYDER’s festive season has become a lot dearer than usual – after he scrapped a video costing thousands.
I can reveal the Space Man singer dressed up as Wizzard frontman Roy Wood in the promo for his new single You’re Christmas To Me.
Sam slapped on blue facepaint and a red and white striped hat, just as Roy did in the clip for his 1973 festive hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
However, mysterious circumstances led to the entire project being canned and a new video — which was released yesterday — being hastily filmed.
That was just in time for today’s chart, when the track will battle Wham!’s Last Christmas for the No1 spot.
On Sunday, it was revealed Sam’s tune had risen from No12 to No2 and was just 800 copies behind the Eighties classic, which topped the charts last Friday.
Quizzed about the video, Sam said: “We ain’t said anything, I can’t confirm or deny.
“All I can say is, no one will ever see it, because of reasons beyond our control.
“But there is another video coming that we had to do very last minute.
“It’s a damage-control video. I made it in about eight hours. But the original, I can’t confirm it even exists.”
He kept schtum on exactly why the video was binned, but some have suggested Roy may not have been best pleased.
Despite the drama, Sam is having a stellar moment and is now a very real contender for the Christmas No1 later this month — ahead of a busy 2024 in which he could win an Emmy for his single Fought & Lost.
Asked what is on the horizon, he said: “We’ve got album number two that we’re writing, it’s gonna be coming out.
“We don’t get much Christmas holiday on this team. We’re gonna be working up until the 23rd I think. And then we’re off again on January 6 for the Emmys.
“Fought & Lost is nominated for an Emmy.
“So fingers crossed for that. And yeah, festival season is gonna be bonkers. It’s just a year full of blessings.”
THE race is on for Christmas No1 and a sackful of contenders have entered the race ahead of the big reveal next Friday.
But in a sign of the times, it is a bunch of TikTok stars who are the frontrunners. A series of 30 British influencers who call themselves Creator Universe have teamed up to release their spin on I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day in favour of food bank charity The Trussell Trust.
They will face competition from The Pogues’ Fairytale Of New York following frontman Shane MacGowan’s death last month.
The song peaked at No2 in 1987 and last week shot back up the chart to No4. The band and his family have backed a campaign to get it to the top and 7” vinyl singles will be released on Tuesday for charity.
Last week’s No1, Last Christmas by Wham!, also stands a good chance, while bookmaker Coral has set odds for NoahKahan’s song Stick Season and Mariah Carey’s anthem All I Want For Christmas Is You, too.
FOR someone who was wined and dined by Hollywood megastar Leonardo DiCaprio the night before, Lottie Moss doesn’t look too happy.
She struggled to raise a smile at the Pretty Little Thing Christmas party in London on Wednesday evening, just as The Sun, right, told about her date with the Oscar winner.
The model was joined at the fast-fashion party by Love Island’s Lucinda Strafford and Katie Price’s kids Princess and Junior, which is definitely a downgrade from the A-list company of Leo.
I’m sure she will have cheered up after a Christmas cocktail or two.
MYLEENE KLASS looked a cut above the rest as she attends the press night for Edward Scissorhands.
The Hear’Say singer kept things Pure And Simple in a sequined silver dress and black thigh-high boots at the show at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in North London.
Tim Burton’s 1990 film has been re-imagined as a ballet, complete with stunning sets and parts of the original score by Danny Elfman.
It will play in the capital until January 20 before touring the UK until May – including shows in Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff.
MEGAN THEE STALLION has teamed up with Renee Rap for a new song from the soundtrack of the movie musical remake of Mean Girls.
Renee plays Regina George in the movie, due to be released in January, but the track called Not My Fault is out today.
Meanwhile, US singer-songwriter AJ Mitchell has today dropped his song Passionate, which will be the lead single from his next album.
And the huge R&B soundtrack for musical movie The Color Purple has been released, featuring stars including Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige.
MATTHEW WOLFENDEN is wasting no time in moving on after the end of his five-year marriage to fellow Emmerdale star Charley Webb.
We revealed last month that he’d started dating personal trainer Heather Stanley – and now insiders have revealed she has already moved into his rented London pad.
A source said: “Matthew is head-over-heels with Heather.
“He is renting a place in East London while in Elf the Musical in the West End and Heather has all but moved in with him.
“They’ve been joined at the hip since Matthew came down south for the show and she’s been there at the flat most days with him. Once the run ends, it’s likely they’ll find a new place to move in together for good but for now they’re taking it one day at a time.
“Heather is mad for Matthew and they’re like loved-up teenagers when he isn’t on stage.”
Matthew and Charley, who have three kids, married in 2018 but announced their separation last month.
They said in a statement: “We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children.”
Following their split, Charley has been leaning on pal Sheridan Smith for support.
I couldn’t imagine a better person to drown my sorrows with.
