GEORGE Michael’s heartbreak aside, the holiday in the music video for Last Christmas by Wham! looks like the best festive fun, with skiing, wine, friends and snowball fights.
So as the festive hit celebrates its 40th anniversary by returning to the top of the UK charts, what better time to experience the very spot where the footage was shot — Saas-Fee in Switzerland.
If you want, you can even, like me and my group, go the extra mile and recreate the video as most of the original locations are still there.
There’s even a lifesize cut-out of Wham! icon Andrew Ridgeley, as well as model Kathy Hill, who played the object of Andrew and George’s affections in the video, next to a ski lift you can pose with.
So armed with guyliner, clip-on hoop earrings, blusher, lip gloss and a dodgy wig I’d hacked into an extremely rough approximation of George’s Eighties bouffant, we checked in to the Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa where the band and crew stayed during filming.
The first thing to note about Saas-Fee is the main reason it was chosen for the video — it can lay claim to having the best and most consistent snow in Europe thanks to its glacier location.
It really is the stuff of dreams — a blanket of soft powder that you can sink up to your knees in, which makes for great skiing or snowboarding.
Ski-wise, the set-up of the slopes means the resort is best suited to either beginners or experts.
There are 100km of slopes in Saas-Fee itself, with an extra 50km easily accessible.
But, as my instructor Megan put it, the blues are easy blues and the reds are hard reds, so it can be a stretch if you’re somewhere in the middle like me.
For good skiers, the snow quality is unsurpassed and more than makes up for the piste map not being as sprawling as elsewhere.
Back at the labyrinthine Walliserhof, with its stunning, seemingly endless spa and sauna complex, we threw ourselves into the Wham! festive spirit.
There was an augmented-reality scavenger hunt, ending in George’s suite filled with band memorabilia, a signature George Michael cocktail at the hotel bar, and a nearby Wham! exhibition at the surprisingly absorbing Saas-Fee museum.
The very next day, we went on a guided tour to see the chalet from the video, and staged our own snowball fight and chase.
By this point, my George wig was getting rather battered and tatty, and the resulting video looked more like Worzel Gummidge or Rod Stewart starring in The Shining than Wham!
But it was tremendous fun, nonetheless, and we were all helpless with giggling for most of the trip.
Even if you’re not a skier or a connoisseur of cheesy Eighties Christmas classics, Saas-Fee has a lot to offer. It’s a car-free, eco-sustainable resort, and quite compact.
So it’s refreshing to walk around the many quaint Alpine bars, with the only danger being from one of the electric milk floats that help ferry you around.
The food is plentiful and gluttonously satisfying, whether in resort or up among the snowy peaks.
There, you’ll find The Allalin, the world’s highest revolving restaurant.
It is 3,500 metres above sea level and accessible via a Bond-like Metro Alpin underground funicular, which also counts as the world’s highest subway.
Down in the resort, we also enjoyed a brief diversion at the Capra hotel, run by a former London financier called George and his gracious family.
They’ve put so much love and attention to detail into each part of the luxury set-up that it’s almost overwhelming, from the Fun Lab games room to the high-end spa and two Michelin key-winning food and wine.
Back in the Walliserhof hotel, we had a choice of three restaurants, which I would summarise in turn as Italian, posh and cheese fondue heaven.
Before I could gorge myself comatose on the fondue, however, I had another gorge on the agenda, namely the Alpine Canyon, which would have a markedly different impact on my stomach.
This was a three-hour trek through a snowy paradise, using zipwires and the “via ferrata” system of iron rungs hammered into the side of the mountain.
I started off quite confident but, by the halfway stage — despite being clipped on by two carabiners on my harness — I was trembling while trying to fumble my way around the sheer cliffs as our mountain guide looked on with bemusement.
It hardly helped when he told me that, in the past few years alone, a few adventurers had died because they’d foolishly ignored the warnings and chanced it without a guide.
Whether it was the rickety, snow-covered wooden bridges, the bonkers abseil from a wobbly metal ladder protruding into the abyss past a waterfall of spectacular icy stalactites, or swinging across the canyon as a river gushed a frighteningly long drop below, I’ve never felt so much like a cut-price Indiana Jones.
Thank God there was no giant boulder rolling down the path or I would have missed my pressing appointment with the fondue.
Once my knees had stopped knocking, there was time for a final dose of Christmas cheer with a town centre karaoke box — which, this month, is specifically set for one song only (you’ll never guess what . . . ).
In summary, Saas-Fee (as with Switzerland in general) may require you to cover your eyes and gulp as you hand your credit card over.
But it is an experience that, even 40 years on, leaps straight out of the music video, and would be a chocolate-box winter wonderland even without the Wham! connection.
I can’t imagine a more faithful way to experience a snapshot of life as the late, great George Michael.
And if, like me, you have ever dreamed of having a Wham! Christmas, you won’t get better than in snowy Saas-Fee.
Next year, to save me from tears, I hope to go somewhere just as special.
GETTING THERE: Swiss fly to Zurich from Heathrow with fares from £72 one way and to Geneva with fares from £54. See swiss.com. A Swiss Travel Pass is from £229 for three days. See switzerland.com/travel.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa in Saas-Fee from £286pp, per night including breakfast. See walliserhof-saasfee.ch.
MORE INFO: See saas-fee.ch.
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN led the star names in Saudi Arabia to watch Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair put on a 12-round thriller in May with Usyk emerging as the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history.
Now, seven months later and they run it back with Fury bulking up to 20 STONE as he prepares to fight for the first time with a loss.
Big names from the world of sport, Hollywood and entertainment stepped out in Riyadh for the occasion.
Snooker legend O’Sullivan – who helped launch a series in Saudi – was there in support of Fury.
He told TNT Sports: “I think it will be a great fight. It’s good to be here.
“I don’t really know how to read Fury, he’s a bit unpredictable, a bit unreadable. He’s his own man.
“He’s a bit of a maverick so I try not to read too much into it. I just hope he’s had a good training camp and I want him to win.”
Movie star Jason Statham had the best ringside seat in the house alongside his partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
He donned a black suit and pair of sunglasses – looking like he had just walked off a set of his latest action film.
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Statham had been in Jeddah for the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The boxing world was also out in force, heavyweight champions past and present looking dapper.
British great Lennox Lewis sat ringside with Wladimir Klitschko – two of the division’s greatest.
Daniel Dubois – who inherited the IBF title Usyk vacated – looks to be on a scouting mission.
His next opponent, Joseph Parker on February 22, was part of Fury’s team in the dressing room.
He was joined by Fury’s wife Paris – who stunned in a floral outfit.
Prince Naseem Hamed beamed from ringside and was met with a huge reception.
EASTENDERS legend Adam Woodyatt has revealed ‘bonkers’ 40th anniversary plans – and that it has already been filmed.
The BBC soap is gearing up for its milestone year in February 2025.
EastEnders fans have already been treated to a number of returns from former characters in recent weeks as part of the celebrations.
And now Adam – who has played Ian Beale since the very first episode – has revealed more on what fans can expect from the 40th anniversary.
He said: “Expect everything and a lot more! The anniversary week is just bonkers!
“I think I can safely say for all of us, we picked up the scripts and was like ‘what the f***’ how the hell are we going to do this? And we have!
“Obviously we haven’t done the live element yet but we’ve done all the bits leading up to it and it’s honestly brilliant.”
Meanwhile show boss Chris Clenshaw added: “I can’t say too much. It’s explosive, and we’ve pretty much shot most of it and it’s looking brilliant. Expect everything.”
And speaking about the upcoming Christmas episode which centres around the Beales and the Knights, he added: “I’m thrilled. I think it was important for us, after last year we did a flash forward episode – a format-breaking idea – with the flash forward and The Six.
“I think this year because we are entering our 40th year it was really important to us that it was a classic EastEnders.”
Adam also spoke about being one of the few original cast members still on the show, saying he felt “old”.
But he added: “It’s been really nice actually. We’ve got a lot of building work going on and some of us have had to move dressing rooms and I’ve got moved from near where the sets are to probably about the furthest point away, but I was really, really chuffed because I’m now in Gretchen Franklin’s old dressing room.
“When I started out there was me, Dave Scarboro and Paul Medford, all crammed into a dressing room that isn’t big enough for one person and the dressing rooms upstairs were for the stars.
“That’s where Wendy, and Anna and Gretchen were, so I’ve made it. 40 years it took!”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
CHEST pain and palpitations are two of the more obvious signs there might be something wrong with your heart.
But some symptoms can be a lot more subtle, and easily mistaken for other conditions.
Singer Max George was rushed to hospital last week after feeling generally unwell.
The Wanted star, 36, later revealed he has been diagnosed with a “2:1 heart block” — where the heart beats more slowly or with an abnormal rhythm because of a problem with the electrical impulses.
He now faces a “pretty scary” wait for surgery.
Experts have since warned that potentially life-threatening heart issues can strike anyone at any age, and there are 7.6million of us living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK.
Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, tells Sun on Sunday Health: “Your heart keeps you alive. Every day, it beats around 100,000 times, which means about eight pints (five litres) of blood is being pushed around your body through a network of blood vessels.
“This delivers oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body to help your organs and muscles work properly.
“Sometimes, this system doesn’t work as it should, causing heart and circulatory conditions like coronary heart disease, heart attack, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and heart block.
“The types of conditions are vast, so their symptoms are too.”
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, adds: “The news of Max George is a stark reminder that heart issues can strike at any age.
“Therefore, understanding the telltale signs that the heart isn’t functioning properly can be the difference between life and death, allowing people to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.”
Here, we look at the symptoms to watch out for . . .
FROM asthma to panic attacks, shortness of breath can stem from many conditions.
It’s also too easy to ignore as a sign that we’re simply getting old or unfit.
“However, breathlessness is a massive signifier of heart disease,” warns Dr Grant.
“When the heart is unable to pump blood fast enough, veins can quickly become backed up, and fluid leaks into the lungs.
“Or an absence of oxygen-rich blood may mean you breathe more quickly as you fight to get more oxygen. Shortness of breath is especially concerning if it occurs while doing very little, such as climbing a few stairs. If this is a concern, I strongly advise seeking further medical advice from a GP.”
AFTER a busy week at work or a jam-packed Christmas calendar, it’s no wonder we can feel ‘tired all the time’.
But if this TATT fatigue lasts for several weeks, speak to a doctor.
“Understanding why you feel increasingly tired can be challenging, especially during a time of year like the festive period, but it could signify heart failure,” Dr Grant says.
“When our bodies can’t pump enough blood, they prioritise blood to our brains and heart, meaning muscles can feel weaker. Therefore, keep a close eye on muscle strength and energy levels this winter.”
HEART palpitations are another key sign that the heart is struggling to function normally.
This can feel like your heart is racing, pounding or fluttering, or that it’s missing beats.
“Outside influences can bring on palpitations — including caffeine, certain medications and anxiety — but it’s also a big sign of arrhythmia,” the expert adds.
“Heartbeats can slow or rapidly speed up. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, heart failure and stroke, so act fast.”
HAVE you noticed any difference to your appearance lately?
Heart issues are often noticeable through facial changes, so pay close attention next time you look in the mirror.
Dr Grant says: “Facial swelling could indicate oedema, where fluid is retained due to heart failure. Discolouration is another huge sign. Both blue lips and grey skin can indicate poor blood flow and circulation, which could stem from low oxygen levels in the blood.
“High blood pressure can also show in the face in the form of flushing, leaving you red faced.
“This is a major risk factor for heart disease and I strongly advise anyone with these symptoms to speak to their GP.”
MOST people experience more aches and pains during winter.
The cold weather can lead to stiffer joints and muscles, and we spend more time sitting down indoors, after all.
But take note of any pain in your chest, neck, back, tummy or jaw, especially if it radiates up your left arm.
Dr Grant says: “General pain is something to keep a close eye on as it may indicate a heart attack.
“Other cardiac symptoms include pressure in the chest, sweating and dizziness.
“It’s vital to call emergency services should these symptoms persist for more than a couple of minutes.”
EMILY McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, says: “Electrical signals move through your heart, which make it beat. A heart block happens when these electrical impulses are blocked or delayed.
“First-degree heart block will not cause any symptoms, but second- and third-degree ones are more serious.
“Second-degree heart block can be caused by a congenital problem, a history of heart attack or heart surgery, but the cause can also be unknown.
“First-degree heart block does not usually need treatment. But second- and third-degree heart blocks can cause uncomfortable or dangerous symptoms such as dizziness, exhaustion, shortness of breath or a very low heart rate – though sometimes there are no symptoms at all.”
Heart blocks are relatively uncommon, but become more frequent with age or underlying conditions, according to Heart Research UK.
Treatment can include implanting a pacemaker, of which up to 50,000 procedures are performed a year.
“A HEALTHY heart is key to a healthy body,” says Dr Roy Jogiya, incoming chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK.
So speak to your GP if you notice:
MOSES ITAUMA passed the biggest test of his career with yet another brutal first-round KO.
The 19-year-old Chatham clubber locked horns with seasoned heavyweight Demsey McKean on the undercard of Tyson Fury‘s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.
Many thought Aussie assassin McKean would be a step too far the 19-year-old.
But the Brit bruiser proved concerns with the match-up were misplaced with yet another brutal first round KO.
He first sent the Aussie crashing to the canvas with a cuffing left hand to the temple.
McKean somehow managed to beat the count, although it wasn’t long before another overhand left landed on his chin.
McKean was spun around by the shot but managed to make it back to his feet, albeit in a badly dazed state.
And he failed to answer the ref’s count, meaning Itauma claimed the biggest scalp of his career.
The stunning stoppage was Itauma’s SEVENTH to have come in the first round.
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FUMING fans were left complaining after Raymond van Barneveld’s World Darts Championship walk-on was “massacred” in an embarrassing blunder.
The Dutch maestro stepped out at Ally Pally on Saturday for his Round 2 clash against Nick Kenny, who secured a famous 3-1 victory over the five-time winner.
The lights were dimmed low as Barney prepared to make his famous walkout.
Each darts star chooses a special song to come out to.
And Van Barneveld has arguably the greatest sports song of them all.
The former world champ always walks out to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.
It is better known as the theme tune to hit Sylvester Stallone move ‘Rocky’.
And Van Barneveld’s jingle gets the crowd fired up like no other.
However, things did not go to plan in north London as he made his entrance.
Indeed, ‘Eye of the Tiger’ did start playing.
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But as Barney walked through the crowd to greet the adoring masses, the song abruptly stopped.
There was silence for several seconds as the audience reacted with confusion.
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And instead of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ resuming, a completely different song started playing.
The unrecognisable tune failed to knock Van Barneveld off his stride though.
The Dutchman made his way onto the stage while interacting with the fired-up crowd.
But many at home were left complaining that his stage entrance had been ruined by the musical gaffe.
One fan said: “Look how they massacred my boy.”
Another declared: “How you do mess up walk-on music, especially that of Raymond van Barneveld of all people.”
One noted: “They just completely ruined Van Barneveld’s walk on… I want to file a complaint.”
Another added: “What the hell has Van Barneveld just come out to?”
The cock-up came after fellow darts ace Romeo Grbavac apologised to Van Barneveled for also walking out to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ at the WDC.
Responding to a message from Barney saying “Erm..”, Grbavac said: “Hello Barney.
“This song wasn’t my choice and I don’t know why they played it.”
Barney accepted the apology and laughed off the incident, responding: “OK all is forgiven pal.”
