The children behind the iconic vocals of Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ have reunited after almost five decades to celebrate their role in one of Britain’s most-loved Christmas classics.
The reunion, organised by the Official Charts Company, saw the original Stockland Green School choir awarded a Top 10 accolade, recognising the song’s long-lasting success. The event also gave them the chance to reconnect with Wizzard keyboardist Bill Hunt, the man who first brought them together for the recording in 1973.
Stockland Green School, ironically located on Birmingham’s Slade Road, had a unique connection to the band through Hunt, whose relative was a teacher at the school. The choir, aged 11 and 12 at the time, recorded their parts during the October half-term break, travelling to London in Wizzard’s tour bus and Hunt’s car.
Though unpaid, the children were treated to Wizzard merchandise, records, and a story to last a lifetime. Hilary Gunton, one of the original singers, recalled the excitement of their journey: “We got to go on their bus, and there was Coca-Cola, lots of sweets, and Mars bars… we were well sugared up.”
Nik, another member of the choir, reflected on the unique reach of the song: “I’ve heard it in America, Japan, even Indonesia”. But the effects remain just as strong closer to home. One of the choir members revealed that her co-workers always encourage her to sing along when it plays on the radio.
The reunion was not only a chance to reminisce but also to create new memories. The BBC captured Hunt playing the song with Stockland Green’s current pupils, drawing a direct parallel between the original recording and today’s generation.
For the original choir members, the nostalgia was bittersweet. Despite their voices being featured on the track, union rules at the time meant they couldn’t appear in the music video, where actors from a London stage school mimed to their singing. Hilary and her peers recalled the disappointment of seeing Top of the Pops and realising they’d been replaced on screen.
Adding to the festive rivalry, the song was famously held off the No. 1 spot in 1973 by Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. Hunt later told The Guardian about Wizzard’s cheeky revenge, sneaking a custard pie onto set to hit Slade’s Noddy Holder mid-performance, hidden as the crowd participated in a “custard fight”.
Today, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ remains a festive favourite, currently charting at number 28—two places above Slade’s hit. For the original choir members, the reunion was a celebration of their lasting contribution to a timeless Christmas tradition.
