EAMONN Holmes has blasted this year’s festive number one attempts saying that he prefers songs which have ‘Christmas’ in the title.
The Sky News Sunrise anchor paid a surprise visit to staff at Sky Livingston today (Wed) dressed as Santa Claus and spoke to staff about their Christmas plans.
When asked if he thought if X Factor winner Matt Cardle or Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro should make it to the top spot for Christmas the TV presenter said: “I wish it was the days that we had Christmas songs that were Christmas songs like Slade and all that.
“It should be something with Christmas in the title.”
Eamonn visited the town’s Kirkton Campus with his helpers – Sunrise co-hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Jacquie Beltrao.
Staff were unaware of the festive treat but did have an idea that something was going on.
A large projection of Santa appeared on one of the walls reading “Santa is coming. Who is it?”
But when Eamonn Holmes appeared the 3,460 staff couldn’t wait to grab a picture with him and get an autograph.
Some even found blank Christmas cards to get the Irish presenter to write a card to their friends and family.
He also joked with staff saying “Now you know who Santa is, it’s George Clooney!”
The Irish presenter added that it was great to be in Scotland as the weather was all over the news last week.
He said: “It’s very good from our point of view to be here because this is the story we were covering in the news a week ago with the snow. And now we see a week on and the snow is still here and it’s going to return.”
He also said that he has been a victim of the Arctic weather.
“It’s hard getting into the studio. It’s very very difficult but it’s hard for anybody getting anywhere.
“If I don’t get into the studio no-one finds out what’s happening elsewhere so it’s a big responsibility, shovelling yourself out at 4 o’clock in the morning.”
While posing for pictures and letting girls sit on his knee the star said that he would be going back to Ireland for Christmas to spend time with his family.
And he dropped a few hints of what he would like for Christmas.
He said: “I’m easily pleased, just buy me a lot of old cowboy films and I’m very happy. I’d like something inventive like an iPad I suppose.”
He also revealed what he would be having for Christmas dinner saying that his wife Ruth Langsford , who co-presents with him on This Morning, makes the best roast potatoes.
“I’ll be have the same as everyone else. But Ruth makes roast potatoes with rock salt and cooked in goose fat.
“There must have been some reason I married her and it was for roast potatoes.”
Staff at the Livingston centre were thrilled with their early Christmas present.
Stacey Orr, 19, from Livingston has worked as part of the Customer Support Team at Sky Livingston for two years.
She said: “It was a great surprise when Father Christmas walked into the room but we were stunned when we realised who it was.
“Eamonn was fantastic fun and was genuinely interested in the work that we do here and how that related to his own role at Sky.
“He spent lots of time chatting with colleagues and really brightened up our day.”
The star went on to visit staff at the other Sky Livingston centre and also Uddingston and Falkirk.
