🇬🇧 Michael Ball releases cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with Captain Tom Moore

Michael Ball has released a cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” featuring British Army veteran Captain Tom Moore. The song, which was made famous by Gerry & The Pacemakers, has been released to raise money for healthcare workers in the UK.

Michael Ball represented the UK at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest and has recorded the cover version, which also features backing vocals from the the NHS Voices of Care Choir. 100% of the proceeds from the sales and streams of the single will be donated to NHS Charities Together. The charity works to support NHS frontline staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients in the UK.

Number 1 for the Captain?

The single was released on Friday, following Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising walk. The walk was to raise money for NHS charities during the coronavirus outbreak. The former British Army officer, who will turn 100 next week, walked 100 laps of his garden and has currently raised nearly £28 million to support NHS staff and volunteers.

In the Official UK Singles Chart update, published on Sunday, the song entered at number 1. It dethroned last week’s number one – The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”. If the song remains in the top spot until Friday, it will become this week’s official UK Number 1. It will give both Michael Ball and Captain Tom Moore their first number 1 singles.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” has been seen as an anthem for support and encouragement to key workers and those in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, Dutch radio DJ Sander Hogendoorn called for radio stations across Europe to play the song simultaneously to support people during these difficult times. The song was played on 183 radio stations as well as at football stadiums across Europe.

Michael Ball at Eurovision 1992

For the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC internally selected Michael Ball to represent the United Kingdom in Malmö. Out of a selection of 8 songs, “One Step Out of Time” was selected as the UK’s entry. The song won the televote with 153,792 votes.

At the contest, Michael finished as runner-up behind Ireland’s Linda Martin. He received four sets of 12 points – more than the eventual winner Ireland. In total, he scored 139 points. The song peaked at number 20 in the UK Singles Chart.

Will you be purchasing the song to support NHS Charities Together? Would you like to see the song reach number 1 on Friday?

Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.