Clean out of money!

SPECIAL

DESPITE three No1s and millions of streams, Clean Bandit are still watching the pennies.

The trio have been biggest selling singles act of the past three years – but their success reflects the state of the industry with huge streaming not bringing in much dosh.

In fact, cellist Grace Chatto is struggling to get enough money together for a one-bedroom flat in London, let alone a plush Holywood Hills mansion.

She told me: “We haven’t earned that much cash yet. I hope to buy a flat soon, but the music industry isn’t what it was.

“Having three No1s doesn’t get you that far with the way things are, especially in London.”

The threesome worked with X Factor champ Louisa Johnson on Tears, but it turns out even they haven’t tuned into a single episode of this year’s X Factor.

And it’s unlikely they will hook up with winners Rak-Su anytime soon. Grace confessed: “We would give them a song, depends who they are. I have not been following it.”

But they’re always up for working with regular collaborator Anne-Marie. Grace said: “We always have Should’ve Known Better, a beautiful song. AnneMarie’s voice sounds great.

“We made it before Rockabye and it’s called Should’ve Known Better – it is completely different. It is much more stripped back in the verses and more fast, almost drum’n’bass feel, in the chorus.”

After covering Wham!’s Last Christmas for BBC Live Lounge, Grace has a hunger for festive songs. She said: “Maybe next year with sleigh bells. I love George Michael’s voice so much it makes me cry. There is so much emotion in his singing.”

Watch Clean Bandit on BBC1’s Top Of The Pops Christmas

Day special .