1) True or False – Last year, after my brother Ian asked for Christmas gifts of CD’s by Spandau Ballet and a former X-Factor singer, along with a Mary Shelley book, on 25th December I presented him with Gold, Frankenstein and Olly Murs. – In the words of Spandau Ballet “This much is True”
2) – True or False – When Chris Rea was driving home for Christmas he was 3 times over the drink/driving limit? False – His chauffeur Bert Wheezer was the one who was three sheets to the wind
3) – True or False – Bing Crosby was telling porkies when, in the eponymous movie, claiming he was dreaming of a white Christmas? – True – His night visions were ordinarily filled with thoughts of Rosemary Clooney’s busters
4) – True or False – Due to 95% of the movie being miserable fare for George Bailey, he’d have been well within his rights to proffer the movie ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ was somewhat of a misnomer? – True
5) – True or False – Apart from rescuing bruised fruit which’d spilled from greengrocer barrows, legendary ukulele player George Formby loved nothing more than building festive snowmen? – True
6) – True or False – In the 1980’s the Queens speech was once penned for Her Majesty by Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown? – False. It was her Golden Jubilee in which Roy waxed lyrical.
7) – True or False – Home Alone star MacCauley Culkin is often asked to speak at Group 4 Security’s Christmas Party? – True.
8) – True or False – Late singer/songwriter Prince’s receipt of Christmas presents diminished markedly after his name change. This a consequence of his buddies being unable to fit ‘The Artist Formerly Known As Prince’ on the gift tags? – True. Hence his return to his original moniker.
9) – True or False – No one called Carol has ever written a traditional Christmas carol? – True
10) – True or False – 1980’s singer/songwriter, and part-time creosote manufacturer, Terence Trent Darby’s biggest regret was not writing and recording a Christmas song. False – His biggest regret was not letting his dog Chris sing backing vocals on his hit ‘If You Let Me Stay’.
11) True or False – Due to an over dependence on mulled wine, Rudolph the reindeers nose was actually more purple than red? – True.
12) – True or False – Turkeys became the UK’s go to Christmas Day meat after it was deemed they were easier to slaughter than geese, who’re incredible aggressive if you approach them with an axe – True.
13) – True or False – Despite Bob Geldof and Midge Ure’s indications to the contrary, Ethiopians do know when it’s Christmas? – True
14) – True or False – Maverick actor and part-time Premier Inn hotel resident, Lenny Henry hates turkey for Christmas dinner. Although evidently approves of it in his comedy routines? False – A well-meaning fella, old Leonard’s gags always leave his audience begging for more! …… Although, that might be more sedatives.
15) – True or False – When professional Yorkshire lady and singer Jane McDonald’s sings of the Holy Trinity in Christmas carols she’s referring to curmudgeonly ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ characters Compo, Foggy and Clegg? – False – It’s her childhood role models Norah Batty, Thora Hird and Beryl Reid.
16) – True or False – Santa Claus is afflicted with a speech impediment which means he refers to his most famous reindeer as ‘Wudolph the wed nosed weindeer’? – True
17) – True or False – When singing East 17’s Christmas hit ‘Stay Another Day’, lead singer Brian Harvey became the first artist to perform a festive refrain with his cap on backwards? False – He was unable to sport his preferred cap position because it was under his coat hood. Consequently, having no choice but to wear it with the peak at the front.
18) – True or False – Late hell raising actor Oliver Reed spent much of his Christmas Day with a shandy, constructing jigsaws and belching cacophonously. True
19) – True or False – For superstition purposes, 1970’s Coventry City footballer Ernie Hunt would always wear the football boots Santa had brought him in next day’s Boxing Day game? False – Ernie liked be break his new boots in during training sessions prior to wearing them on match days.
20) – True or False – Although a broad minded lass, North Yorkshire vet James Herriot’s wife insisted on carving the Christmas turkey if her hubby had been delivering calves on Xmas morning. True.
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