Chris Kamara releasing Christmas record for album debut

Chris Kamara is no stranger to a microphone but now he'll be swapping presenting for singing for his new Christmas album.

The pundit is covering some classic Christmas tracks for his debut album, Here’s to Christmas, set to be released later in the year.

He said: "I know it might be surprising to some, but anyone who knows me – especially those who shared a changing room with me in my playing days who first told me I could sing – will tell you what a big fan I am of big band music.

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"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d get to record a full album, though!”

The 61-year-old continued: "Here’s to Christmas is something I’m really proud of and I think it stands up as something fun, but something that doesn’t sound half bad too – an album to get everyone into the swing of Christmas!"

He'll be tackling big festive hits on the record, including Jingle Bells, Let It Snow and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer but listeners will also hear an original track.

The Ninja Warrior UK presenter said a record company got in touch with him with the album idea after he competed in a celebrity version of singing competition All Together Now last December.

Kamara's album reveal isn't the only unusual Christmas news to emerge recently as it's been announced that Mariah Carey is teaming up with Walkers Crips for its festive ad.

Carey, who described the snacks as "irresistible", teased there would be "fun twists" in the promotion.