Matt Lucas is releasing a Christmas song for charity (Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Great British Bake Off host Matt Lucas is tapping into the festive spirit with a version of his famous Baked Potato song to be released as a Christmas charity single.
The Little Britain comedian is set to release Merry Christmas, Baked Potato on Thursday November 26 to help raise money for food poverty charity FareShare.
Saying he was inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaigning for FareShare, Matt decided to use his popular potato song series to do more good.
It follows the success of his FeedNHS charity single Thank You Baked Potato, which was released earlier this year to raise money amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The song reached the top spot on the iTunes chart and the UK Official Streaming & Download Chart, with all the proceeds going to provide meals for NHS workers who were on the frontline.
Celebrating his holiday charity tune, which is based on the book of the same name, Matt said in a statement today: ‘Santa Baked Potato’s on his way! I hope my silly song will put a smile on your face.
‘Thank You Baked Potato was released in aid of FeedNHS at a time when the supermarket shelves were empty and restaurants and cafes were closed. Now that that situation has been largely remedied, I have the opportunity – with my follow-up single Merry Christmas, Baked Potato – to raise some money for another cause.’
He went on: ‘Like so many people I’ve been incredibly inspired by Marcus Rashford’s campaigning for FareShare, so all profits from downloads of the single and streaming revenue will go to the charity.
‘I also hope the song will bring a bit of a bounce in what is sure to be a challenging Christmas. All that I ask for in return is that Marcus Rashford doesn’t score against Arsenal ever again. Thank you.’
FareShare Commercial Director Alyson Walsh said: ‘FareShare is absolutely thrilled to be the charity partner for the Christmas Baked Potato song. We know how much Matt’s earlier song this year helped FeedNHS. Sadly, as a food charity, we have seen demand for food skyrocket this year and the sales from this song this Christmas will help us keep supporting those in need, all across the UK.’
Thank You Baked Potato, originally performed nearly 20 years ago on the BBC panel show Shooting Stars, was rewritten by Matt to include key messages about how to avoid spreading and catching Covid-19, and urging people to stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Merry Christmas, Baked Potato is released November 26.
