Kentish Express Ashford & District
Gogglebox star dreaming of a White Christmas hit
Pair singing from the same sheet
What do you get when you put a TV star with a teenage singer-songwriter? A bid for festive number one with a charity single, of course!
Sandi Bogle, from Channel 4’s hit programme Googlebox, has teamed up with 15-year-old singer-songwriter Jack Rose, from Ashford, and released a Christmas single.
The duo’s version of the Bing Crosby classic White Christmas was released at midnight on Friday of last week.
Jack explained about how the opportunity arose.
He said: “I planned to do a Christmas single back in March or April and I wanted to do it with someone, but didn’t know who.”
Jack then met Sandi at a Beverley Knight concert at Westenhanger Castle in Kent in June this year.
She has been known to visit Ashford on occasion, usually to eat at the popular town centre Italian restaurant Amici.
The 51-year-old shot to fame Money raised from the single will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity, a cause close to both their hearts.
Sandi said: “My sister’s daughter used to be in Great Ormond Street.
“When it came out that that’s who he [Jack] chose, I thought that’s a definite for me. There’s a connection.
Jack said: “I’ve always wanted to do something for charity to help children so they can have a better Christmas and obviously Great Ormond Street is on the popular television show, which follows a selection of families watching and commenting on the programmes that have been broadcast during the week.
Jack said: “I just thought ‘I want to do this Christmas single with Sandi.’ We got in the studio. We laid it down and it just sounded brilliant.
“So many people are just supporting us and giving us everything we need to carry on with the single. We’re hoping possibly the for that.
“Also, my best friend’s little cousin is in there right now.”
In continuing their charitable bid, Jack contacted different people in the music industry who offered their services for free to record the single in the summer.
Kevin Thorpe at Big Jam Studios agreed to record the track, while Ricky Patel played acoustic guitar and Shane The Cutter worked as mastering engineer.
Renowned artist The Doodle Man created the cover of the single. it does well so we can raise money for charity.”
The pair performed their single at Jack’s school, Homewood in Tenterden.
The teenager also peformed a song he co-wrote called Woman Like The Ocean, which will be released next month. He also hopes to release an EP or an album next year.
Sandi said: “The children even lit their phones up. There was an ocean of bright lights. It looked amazing!”
The couple’s version of the song is modern and acoustic.
Sandi said: “We’ve added a few little bits and pieces to it and just brought it a bit more up to date. Plus a bit of us in it. “That’s what it’s about… fun” The duo plan to work together again in the future.
Jack said: “We don’t know what yet, but 100% we are going to work together again.
“This isn’t the end of Jack and Sandi. White Christmas wasn’t a one-off.”
Sandi added: “He ain’t going nowhere. We’re going to definitely do more work together.
“He’s amazing, he’s not getting rid of me that quick.
“His head is screwed on already and he knows education has to come first anyway, so me and his mum and dad make sure that’s a definite.
“He’s talented, and I love working with him. We just click every time we’re in the studio."
The single is available on iTunes now.
‘We’re hoping it does well so we can raise money for charity’