2 artikkelia

"Soldier, 26, teams up with McFly in Christmas No1 bid
A SOLDIER from South Devon is tipped for a Christmas number one after penning his debut single while posted in Afghanistan — and recording it with pop band McFly.
Xander Rawlins, 26 and from Kingswear, is a captain in the Grenadier Guards. He has written 1,000 Miles Apart, which is about leaving loved ones behind.
Xander was in charge of 30 men in Afghanistan and the video for his song shows the soldiers during their downtime.
The proceeds of the record will go to two charities Combat Stress and The Soldier's Charity.
Xander has been working on his song with members of the pop band McFly at their London studio. He met McFly when he played at the Troubadour music venue in London a couple of years ago with his band Rawlins.
Xander's band mates, brother Digby, 24, and pal Sam Phillips of Hope Cove, are also playing on the new single alongside a host of other professional musicians.
While serving in Afghanistan, Xander entertained the troops in the evening playing his guitar, a ukulele and a cornet.
The single is about soldiers leaving their loved ones at Christmas, something he knows a lot about, having worked away for the last four festive seasons. This year he will be on guard at Windsor Castle.
Proud parents Richard and Jayne, of Beacon Road, say the music industry is already very positive about Xander's song and they believe it has every chance of topping the charts this Christmas.
Jayne said: "He's always made a lot of noise and he's a very jolly, happy chap who loves singing and acting, so I'm not surprised at all that he's done this.
"I am quite surprised at how it has been received, which is very well so far and I'm very pleased for him because he enjoys it and he's doing something he always wanted to do."
"I think the single is excellent," Richard added.
"You would really need a music industry insider to judge whether it will reach number one.
"Like all these things, if it captures the public's imagination and they lock on to it's heartfelt feelings there's no reason why it shouldn't get there."
Xander is currently working on his first album, which he started writing whilst out in Afghanistan.
He's leaving the army next year and is in talks with various record labels with a view to carving out a career in the music industry.
The single 1,000 Miles Apart is due to be released on Monday December 13."
This Is Plymouth

"McFly star helps bandmate get over split with member of Saturdays
CARING McFly star Tom Fletcher is helping bandmate Dougie Poynter get over his split with Saturdays gal Frankie Sandford – by putting him up.
Dougie and Frankie called it quits for the second time last month. And the bass guitarist is getting all the support he needs from his mates.
Tom revealed: “Dougie has been staying at my house and is my new roommate. We’ve not lived with one another for four years so it’s interesting.
“He’s cleared the fridge of booze but he’s very good and cleans up his own pizza boxes.
“He’s bunking up and I’m keeping him warm on a cold night. That’s what friends are for.”
Speaking at the Cash For Kids 30th anniversary bash in Glasgow, Tom and fellow McFly star Danny Jones insisted their relationship with The Saturdays – who flew north from London with them yesterday – hasn’t soured.
Danny told us: “We saw them on the plane and said hello. It’s not a problem for us.”
Half the members of McFly got to the bash in the Hilton with The Saturdays on time, despite being delayed on the plane from London.
Tom explained: “We got stuck on the plane in Glasgow because the steps were frozen. We were stuck on the tarmac for 40 minutes.”
The boys were hoping to catch a flight from Edinburgh to Dublin to catch up with the rest of the band, before heading for Liverpool.
But they admitted they’ve already had a few scares in the snow.
The lads said: “We’ve been very lucky.
“We were on the fast lane on the motorway with no lights on and saw a horse trailer abandoned at the side that had separated from its vehicle.”
They revealed they wont be taking it too easy over the festive season and are looking forward to touring next year. Danny said: “Our new year resolution is to get fat and wear layers as well.
“In the summer we’ve got to worry as there’s more skin on show.
“Tickets for our tour are going on sale now and our shows always kick a**.
“The last tour we flew over the audience and we’d like to do it again.”
Daily Record