Rick Astley and Katie Melua.headlines magical Nordoff and Robbins Carol Service.

Editor Stephen Hill 10th December 2025

International pop icon Rick Astley and the beautifully talented Katie Melua brought a wave of festive joy to St Luke’s and Christ Church in Chelsea, London, on Tuesday, December 9, headlining the star-studded annual Nordoff and Robbins Carol Service, presented by OVO.

 This evening of music and reflection raised an impressive £50,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.  

The intimate service showcased to around 600 attendees experienced exceptional performances from notable artists. 

The show opened with up-and-coming talent Chloe Stroll, who captivated the audience with her elegant single, "Home." Following her, the beautiful internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Katie Melua enchanted everyone with her beautiful hits "The Closest Thing to Crazy" and "Perfect World," before being joined by local children from Latymer Prep School for a stunning rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." 

In contrast, singer Matt Goss faced a tougher reception as he attempted to blend nostalgia with classics songs, including "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" and a less successful take on Carole King’s "You’ve Got a Friend."  Unfortunately the crowd didn't seem to warm to him.

The night concluded with a captivating set from world-renowned singer Rick Astley, who performed beloved festive favorites like "Winter Wonderland" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" in his warm, soulful style. 

He closed the evening with a rousing sing-along to his iconic hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up," and the audience enthusiastically joined in, making it clear that both Katie and Rick were the highlights of the event.  

Guest readers, including multi-award-winning songwriter Cathy Dennis and actor James Cosmo, shared poignant festive passages. 

Nordoff and Robbins CEO Sandra Schembri expressed heartfelt gratitude to the artists and partners, emphasizing the event's significance: “Every note sung and every chord played at the Carol Service directly helps our music therapists reach more children and adults who rely on music to connect, communicate, and express themselves.”  

Since its inception in 1997, the annual Carol Service has raised millions of pounds, funding music therapy that transforms lives through the universal language of music.