On their new Christmas album, Together at Christmas, Alfie Boe and Michael Ball are in perfect harmony but how much do they know about each other’s Christmases? We asked them both some festive questions for a fun Q&A, to find out. . .
1. Do you know each other’s favourite Christmas carols?
Michael on Alfie: I bet it’s Once in Royal David’s City so he can get to sing the first verse solo like a boy soprano!
Alfie: Wrong! It’s actually Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
Alfie on Michael: I think it’s Oh Holy Night.
Michael: Correct. It’s not just my favourite, either. When I presented Songs of Praise – the Nation’s Favourite Carol a few years back, Oh Holy Night came first.
Point to Alfie
2. If you could sing a Christmas duet with anyone else – past or present - who would it be?
Michael on Alfie: You’re expecting me to say someone like Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra but that wouldn’t be the right answer. I think Alfie would like to sing with rockers like Bruce Springstein or Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin.
Alfie: Yeah definitely. I love rock music. My ultimate Christmas duet would be with Freddie Mercury.
Alfie on Michael: He’s classier than me so I’ll say someone like Billie Holliday.
Michael: You’re right about the classy bit, Alf! I love Billie but if I could only pick one singer to do a Christmas duet with, it would be Aretha Franklin.
Point to Michael
3. Which Nativity character do you think he played as a child?
Michael on Alfie: The Innkeeper. I can just imagine him growling, ‘Gerrrout! You’re not comin’ in ‘ere.’
Alfie: I never played the Innkeeper but over three different years, I was a shepherd, one of the Three Kings and also Joseph. The year I played Joseph, I was pretending to be a carpenter and fell off the stage.
Alfie on Michael: I reckon he’d have played the Angel Gabriel. I can just imagine Michael – complete with wings and halo - being lowered down on a pulley and hovering precariously over the stable roof. ‘I come with great joyyyyyyyy…aghhhhh!’
Michael: Well, I do love an entrance! Actually, I don’t think I was ever in a school nativity. I did play Joseph, though, in a production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
No points
4. Christmas in the snow or the sun?
Michael on Alfie: He’s definitely a snow-boy who loves a traditional Christmas. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and all that.
Alfie: Spot on
Alfie on Michael: I think he’s a snow man, too.
Michael: I am. I’m all about the traditions. I have done Christmas in the sun and it was very nice – on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Christmas Day just felt weird, though. It wasn’t right!
Point each to Michael and Alfie
5. What’s the best Christmas present you ever bought him?
Michael on Alfie: One Christmas, I bought him a Captain America onesie! At the time, he was very fit and did really look like Captain America. In fact, I started calling him that.
Alfie: It was funny but not the best present. The best thing you’ve ever given me as a Christmas present was getting to Number One with our first album Together in 2016. Christmas album.
Alfie on Michael: Maybe a Fortnum and Mason’s Hamper, maybe a winter candle. . .
Michael: The hamper and candle were much appreciated but it has to be Together getting to Number One at Christmas 2016. I’m hoping it’ll happen again this year with Together at Christmas.
No points
6. Is December 25 a dress-up or dress-down day?
Michael on Alfie: I imagine he’ll put on a Christmas jumper over sweat pants and might wear a hat. I can see Alfie in a Santa hat!
Alfie: I was planning to go as Scrooge this year. Only joking! I’m all about comfort at Christmas – slippers, trackie bottoms and big old sweater. You can’t beat a pair of flannel PJs at Christmas, though. Maybe I’ll buy Michael a pair.
Alfie on Michael: Oh, he’ll be in stockings, suspenders, high heels, corset, a push-up bra and maybe a pill box hat with a netted veil!
Michael: Wrong! I’m comfy all the way – and not just at Christmas. The minute I walk into my house, the trousers are off and the sweat pants are on!
Point to Michael
7. Favourite part of the Christmas dinner?
Michael on Alfie: Oh, I know this one. It’s gravy. Alf’s a gravy fiend.
Alfie: Correct!
Alfie on Michael: Probably getting to pull a cracker at the dinner table!
Michael: Nope. It’s second helpings!
Point to Michael
8. Favourite panto character to play?
Michael on Alfie: King Rat? Baron Hard-Up? Captain Hook?
Alfie: Definitely one of the baddies.
Alfie on Michael: The back end of a donkey! Or the Dame. Maybe an Ugly Sister.
Michael: Let’s both be Ugly Sisters. The Palladium Panto next year!
Point each
9. Christmas cooking skills?
Michael on Alfie: Cook. Alfie’s got it all down to a fine art and takes it very seriously. He might pretend to be the Grinch sometimes but he loves the whole thing – the preparation of the food, the cooking, doing the whole traditional thing.
Alfie: I’m always in charge of cooking at Christmas. I like being in control.
Alfie on Michael: I’m sure Michael’s the same as me. I know he makes a fantastic roast dinner so his Christmas meal is sure to be delicious.
Michael: I’m the chef and do everything – never the clearing up, though!
Point each
10. Favourite Christmas film?
Michael on Alfie: Er, Die Hard? I bet I’m right.
Alfie: Not far off! It’s actually National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Alfie on Michael: The Wizard of Oz.
Michael: Wrong. My favourites are Love Actually, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and It’s a Wonderful Life.
No points
Final Score: Michael 6, Alfie 4!
Together at Christmas is out now on Decca Records. There will also be an arena tour later next year 2021, including a date at London’s O2 Arena on December 19, 2021. TO find out more visit www.LiveNation.co.uk.
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