It’s unbelievable Jeff... Chris Kamara was left staggered after his debut album sneaked into the Top 10, but don’t expect any rock ‘n’ roll-style celebrations.
“I’m an old grandad, not like some of these lads from Love Island,” he laughs.
“Lorraine Kelly’s my type and she’s not the one to be running after me these days… only my wife. I’m not being a rock star, smashing hotel rooms and all that sort of stuff.”
His debut album, Here’s to Christmas, went into the charts at Number 8, with the title track written for Chris by Robbie Williams collaborator Richard Scott.
He is in some fine musical company, including Robbie himself and Coldplay, in the battle for the coveted Christmas number one slot.
“It would be nice but realistically you know there’s some stiff competition and some megastars who have been around the block a million times,” he says.
“I have bought all their music in the past and, realistically, it would be a dream come true but let’s get back to reality and keep our feet on the ground.”
The much-loved football and Sky Sports commentator – whose birthday is on Christmas Day – has also chalked up a celebrity fan, Take That legend Gary Barlow.
“Gary listened to the album and just went, ‘It’s great, it’s really really good, just go for it’,” he says. “I’ve just been enjoying it.
“The reception from the public has been incredible… flipping hell, pinch me, is this really happening? Is everybody really so behind it?
“Does it sound as good as they actually think it does or is it not. It’s those sort of questions running through your mind but I am enjoying the ride.”
Here’s to Christmas is out now.
