ITV unveils Christmas celebrity singing contest to support mental health with 'Britain Get Singing'

ITV has announced plans for a celebrity Christmas singing contest aimed at supporting viewers' mental health over the festive season.

Britain Get Singing will pit teams of stars from TV's biggest shows against each other in a Christmas sing-off that will link up with ITV mental health campaign Britain Get Talking.

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The yet-to-be-confirmed celebrity teams will sing for the studio audience and a super panel of TV show judges to find the best group.

Hosted by Roman Kemp, the judging panel includes The Voice UK's Will.i.am, Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, and Starstruck's Jason Manford and Adam Lambert.

Celebrity contestants will also share their own experiences of mental health struggles as they talk about the importance of looking after mental wellbeing by connecting with others, especially during the festive period.

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: “Our viewers’ favourite famous faces are ready to pull out all the stops in a bid to impress the audience and our stellar panel of judges. Britain Get Singing is sure to add some much-needed Christmas magic to screens later this year.”

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Susie Braun, ITV’s director of social purpose, added: “Since it launched in 2019, Britain Get Talking has seen over a hundred of the nation’s best-loved celebrities encouraging the nation to connect with each other.

"Britain Get Singing will see even more join that number as part of this Christmas treat with an important message: we can all nurture our mental wellbeing by getting together.”

The contest is due to air near Christmas time on ITV and ITVX as a 90-minute one-off special.

Britain Get Talking, supported by mental health charities Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, launched on ITV in 2019 by pausing the live broadcast of Britain's Got Talent and encouraging viewers to talk to each other.

It continued its work during lockdown and is set to target one of the loneliest times of year for many people, Christmas, in 2022.

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