SOPHIE Ellis Bextor has told of her pride of ringing in the bells for New Year’s Eve – despite her BBC show being branded “breathless and awkward”.
The 45-year-old faced nasty trolling over her performance.
However, ignoring the haters, Sophie wrote on Instagram: “So so proud and happy that I got to host a NYE disco on BBC One.
“What an absolute privilege – I know New Year’s Eve is a special night.
“Huge thank you to my guests who really brought the party – what a treat to have them on stage with me!
“I’ve seen many a new year in with the @bbc on as Big Ben chimes so I really see it as the biggest honour my band and I got to ring in 2025 with whoever was watching. If that was you, thank you.
“Big thank you to the amazing @bbcstudios team who captured the show and created a world for us to do what we do. I loved the set, the lighting…
“Director @lizclaretv did such a brilliant job and the whole crew were so supportive and excited which only made us more excited too! The whole thing has been a really special experience.“
Sophie also commented on her bold choice of disco outfits – admitting: “I think younger me might have been a bit shocked by half the stuff I wear on stage these days.
“But the wonderful thing for me about being the grand old age of 45 is that I just don’t care so much about anything other than having some fun and making my heart happy, hence the daft leg kicking dance, too!“
The Murder on the Dancefloor star, 45, had her own New Year’s Eve Disco on the BBC and also featured on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in the States.
One wrote on X: “What on earth is happening with the @BBCOne #NewYear show. Poor Sophie-Ellis Bextor can’t even keep up with her own songs, a breathless mess. Just lip-sync and then you can at least nail the stage presence… this is cringe!”
Another vented: “This Sophie Ellis-Bextor performance on the BBC wouldn’t be out of place in the local on karaoke Thursdays. Absolute pony.”
A third agreed, saying: “Not the best singer but her dancing was woeful. Sorry but there was only one Murder On The Dancefloor tonight and that was on stage.”
However, others had very different opinions and revelled in the disco tunes.
One fan declared: “Ladies and gentlemen. May I present to you Sophie Ellis-Bextor. A literal shimmering goddess.”
Another said: “I’ve never really known much about Sophie Ellis0Bextor’s music, but this NYE concert is epic!”
A third gushed: “Watched Sophie Ellis-Bextor earlier and she was great A good vibe all round.”
