Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, is an hour-long documentary coming to BBC Two to mark the 40th anniversary of Wham!’s enduring classic Last Christmas.
Join Andrew Ridgeley, one half of the iconic duo with the late George Michael, on a nostalgic trek to Saas-Fee, Switzerland—the snow-kissed backdrop of the song’s famed music video. Experience Ridgeley’s personal tour as he revisits iconic spots like the ski lift and alpine chalet that became synonymous with Wham!’s festive masterpiece.
Infusing the documentary with warmth and admiration are exclusive chats with notable figures like Mary J Blige, Sir Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant, Sam Smith and Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp, who lent their voices to Wham! and later flourished as Pepsi and Shirlie, who unpack the song’s themes of unrequited love and heartache.
Never-before-seen archive footage of George Michael, who left us on Christmas Day 2016, will enrich this narrative. Expect unseen outtakes from the Last Christmas video’s original 35mm film and a special broadcast of Michael’s performance at Wembley Arena in December 2006. An intimate look at personal photos of Michael and Ridgeley will offer a glimpse into their dynamic during their heyday.
Created by Blink Films in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment and directed by Nigel Cole—acclaimed for his BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated work—this documentary stands as the inaugural collaboration between Blink Films and Sony Music Vision. Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, this feature made it to BBC Two thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Rothery, BBC’s Head of Commissioning for Pop Music TV.
Reflecting on this heartfelt tribute, Ridgeley shared his excitement about honoring the song’s incredible legacy, recalling George Michael’s ambition to craft a timeless Christmas classic and the profound importance of the holiday spirit to both of them.
Originally released on December 3, 1984, alongside Everything She Wants, Last Christmas racked up six times platinum sales in the UK and the US, over four billion audio streams, and topped charts in 16 countries. Although initially edged out by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, it finally claimed the UK number one spot in December 2021.
Source: Noah Wire Services
