Inside Tom Grennan’s Amazon gig as he opens up on Christmas No1 battle with Mariah Carey & Wham!

WALKING into South London’s vintage Rivoli Ballroom was like stepping back in time until Tom Grennan bounced onto the stage for a killer, hour-long set.

His performance was to celebrate the release of new track, It Can’t Be Christmas, which is top of the Official Trending chart as he leads the race to land the Christmas No1.

Speaking at the one-off special Amazon Music City Session, Tom tells me: “There is a race against Mariah Carey and Wham!

"We’re going for it. There is no stopping us.”

Tom reveals he was nervous about singing hits including Higher, Found What I’ve Been Looking For and Remind Me at the ballroom, despite being a seasoned pro.

“It’s a Thursday night and I’m A Celebrity’s on,” he laughs.

“I was so nervous because I didn’t think anyone would come.”

It will be Tom’s first Christmas as a married man after marrying Danniella Carraturo earlier this year.

Like us, he’s been struggling to get his decorations up in time.

And while he is busy working on his bid to be festive No1, Tom can’t wait for next year and the release of his fourth album.

“I know you’ve only heard one new song of mine, which is Higher,” he said.

“But trust me, 2025 is all coming. I’m excited for people to hear it because I’ve worked very hard on it.”

Tom’s last record, What Ifs & Maybes, went straight to No1 in June 2023.

I’ve no doubt his next one will do just as well.

Fans who weren’t able to get to the Rivoli Ballroom show can watch it on Amazon Prime in the new year.

Jordan's figures go North

IT has been a phenomenal year for Jordan North who, after joining Capital Breakfast from Radio 1, has seen the show become bigger and more successful.

An extra 400,000 people are tuning in since Jordan and co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark took over in April – taking the show’s audience to 2.96 million.

Jordan, left, tells me: “I won’t lie, it’s quite sweet that we’re beating Radio 1 in younger audiences.”

He will host Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball today and tomorrow with stars including Coldplay and Katy Perry.

When I tell him Katy admitted loving Brit ales, Jordan laughed and added: “We’ll be taking Katy a pint.”