For David Campbell, Carols By Candlelight is one of his favourite nights of the year. But this year, because of COVID travel restrictions, the Sydney-based presenter thought he was going to miss out on hosting the Melbourne event.
“I thought Carols would happen, but I didn’t think I’d be a part of it,” David, 47, tells TV WEEK. “But of course, there’s always a Miracle On 34th Street just waiting around the corner at Christmas time!”
Carols By Candlelight has been held in Melbourne every year since 1938.
The big difference this year is that, because of COVID, there will be no audience. David admits it’s going to be “strange” for the people up on stage.
“There’s going to be a certain element of it that’s gone: the magic of seeing kids falling asleep under the candlelight, looking out at the glow of candles across the Myer Music Bowl, all that sort of stuff. We’re going to miss that.”
Carols will look a little different this year.
(Supplied)But he says this year’s Carols will look “even more spectacular” for people watching at home.
“I think people will really get into how it’s going to be staged and the specialness of how we can film it, which we can’t do when we’ve got an audience in the front few rows,” he explains.
“So I’m glad it’s a one-off, but it’ll be a very special one-off.”
Livinia Nixon will be co-hosting Carols with David for the first time this year.
He says he and Livinia go “way back”, to when she used to fill in for Sonia Kruger as his co-host on Mornings.
“She’s just such an incredible, beautiful personality and spirit to have that night,” he enthuses.
All the regular Carols performers will be back this year, including Anthony Callea, Tim Campbell, Marina Prior and David Hobson. There will also be some new faces, including
The Voice winner Chris Sebastian, blind opera singer Michael Leonardi in a duet with Silvia Colloca, and Eurovision runner-up Dami Im.
As for David himself, he’s not quite sure if he’s going to be performing this year.
“I’m also doing the Today show that week, so I don’t know if I’m going to have time to come in and rehearse anything,” he explains.
So how about Livinia, then?
“I haven’t heard her sing, but she’s multi-talented,” David says. “I think we should just put the rumour out there now that she can, and should, sing on the night. The rumour is she’s doing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!'”
Carols by Candlelight airs Thursday, 8pm, Nine Network.
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