Surprise starring role for NHS nurses' choir in Michael McIntyre Christmas special
A nurses' choir were in for a surprise when they landed a starring role in a festive TV special due to be broadcast to millions on Christmas Eve.
The NHS Forth Valley’s Nurses Choir thought they auditioning for a Christmas concert at London's Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, but instead walked out on stage to a face a packed audience as the unexpected stars of a recording of Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show.
The nurses, who regularly sing for patients and at events to raise money for local charities, managed to hold their nerve and sing White Christmas as the finale to the show.
NHS Forth Valley director of nursing Angela Wallace, who was in on the surprise, watched on proudly from her seat in the auditorium.
She said: 'We managed to keep it a surprise and I will never forget the look on their faces when they came out onto the stage and saw Michael McIntyre for the first time – not to mention the 2,200 people in the audience wearing Santa hats.
'When it dawned on them what was actually happening some were in tears and others couldn’t stop laughing with the sheer mixture of shock and joy.
'It was a fantastic experience and I’m really proud of our nurses as they gave an outstanding performance.'
Striking a chord
Members of the 21-strong choir graced the cover of Nursing Standard last Christmas, for a feature on how the choir was striking a chord with patients – and bringing nurses together.
The Big Show also features performances from singers Alfie Boe and Michael Ball and comedians Harry Enfield and Catherine Tate.
Michael McIntyre praised the choir for their 'beautiful' performance: 'We’ve tried to make this year’s show really Christmassy, so we’ve got a choir,' he told the Sun.
'They’re Scottish NHS nurses who sing for charity. We give them a wonderful surprise and then they sing a beautiful Christmas song at the end.'
Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show will be broadcast on BBC1 on Christmas Eve at 7.25pm.
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