Brighton writer’s joy at two Christmas hits 30 years apart

The man who co-wrote this year’s Christmas number one song for Kylie Minogue was responsible for another festive chart-topper almost 30 years ago.

Brighton-based songwriter Richard Stannard said both this year’s top of the charts XMAS and 2 Become 1 from the Spice Girls have “a special place in my heart”.

The writer, producer and publisher, known as Biff, wrote on Instagram: “Never thought I’d be posting this.”

He thanked the “amazing fans” and said: “Only possible with the help and love of incredible friends and creatives.”

Stannard has written dozens of songs over the last four decades for artists including East 17, U2, Sia, 5 Seconds Of Summer and Ellie Goulding.

His smash hits for the Spice Girls included Wannabe, Viva Forever, Mama and Goodbye.

2 Become 1 was the Christmas number one in 1996.

Stannard’s songwriting partnership with Kylie spans over two decades, including the hits Love At First Sight, In Your Eyes and Please Stay.

Their collaboration, XMAS, beat Wham!’s Last Christmas to top the festive singles chart.

The 1984 hit for George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley had been Christmas number one in 2023 and 2024.

It is taken from a new, expanded edition of her 2015 album Kylie Christmas.

“It’s hard to put into words how special this feels,” said the singer, adding that she’d be celebrating Christmas by “obsessing over a jigsaw” with her family in Australia.