Video: Military Wives Choir a Christmas chart-topping success for Somerset teacher

The Military Wives Choir has clinched Christmas No.1 in the UK music charts after outselling X Factor girl group Little Mix by five to one.

The choir’s single, Wherever You Are, sold 556,000 copies last week along – more than the rest of the top 12 combined.

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   PERFORMANCE: The Military Wives choir in Downing Street

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   SINGER: Jacqueline Beardsley

It became the fastest selling single since Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah sold 576,000 in its first week in December 2008.

The Military Wives Choir includes Somerset teacher Jacqueline Beardsley.

Mrs Beardsley, who teaches at Springmead School, joined the choir when it was formed last June.

Choral maestro Gareth Malone brought 50 women together – few of whom had any musical background – and soon had them singing in three-part harmony, going on to perform in venues around Plymouth and at Sandhurst, culminating in a three-part TV series on BBC2, Choir: Military Wives.

Mrs Beardsley said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends while my husband was away on a seven-month deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

“The Military Choir has made the public aware of the families back home who deal with long separation and fear for their loved ones whilst still having to deal with everyday routines and problems at home – bringing up children, keeping house and home together.

“The wives hope to raise lots of money for the Royal British Legion and SSAFA from sales of Wherever You Are to help military families.

“It has been wonderful to share my experiences with the children at school, the whole adventure has very much been in keeping with our school motto, Seize the Day.”

Mrs Beardsley’s husband is a Royal Navy chaplain serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines. He is now home from Afghanistan and the couple are spending Christmas together.

Proceeds from the single are being donated to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), and the Government has said it will waive VAT on sales of the single.