Sophie Ellis Bextor drew in mixed reviews as she took centre stage on the BBC on New Year's Eve for a TV special with some viewers branding the show 'breathless, awkward and cringe.'
While some fans loved the disco-themed special and praised the pop star for bringing the party to the occasion, some were less impressed, taking to X to air their reviews.
The singer was joined by a number of musical guests for her BBC’s New Year’s Eve concert, including Jessie Ware, Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears, The Last Dinner Party guitarist Emily Roberts and gospel choir the MDL Singers.
The Groovejet singer, 45, performed her hits as well as a few surprise numbers for the show titled Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s NYE Disco.
One fan said: "What on earth is happening with the @BBCOne #NewYear show. Poor Sophie-Ellis Bextor can't even keep up with her own songs, a breathless mess. Just lip-sync and then you can at least nail the stage presence... this is cringe!"
Another chimed in: "Maybe I'm getting old but I can see why folk who stay in on NYE go to bed if the TV offerings are Sophie Ellis-Bextor or Jools Holland."
"Who booked Sophie Ellis Bexter for Nee Year’s Eve on BBC One???? She has 1 song of her own & murdered everyone else’s. Painful karaoke voice," another moaned.
However others were full of praise for the pop star. One wrote: "I’ve never really known much about Sophie Ellis Bextor’s music, but this NYE concert is epic!
Hitting back at the critics another wrote: "Why are so many Brits so f*cking miserable, jealous and rude? Slagging off the glittering and glamorous Sophie Ellis-Bextor as she discos into 2025. Cheer up you miserable losers!!! And happy New Year."
A third said the BBC had made the booking of the night with Sophie, writing "The way I love that Sophie Ellis Bextor has had a massive resurgence & has the whole world acknowledging her music tho. Bringing in the New Year while she throws a massive disco party on is definitely how want to be stepping into 2025!"
Ahead of the special, Sophie said: “I always love a party and I immediately think of sparkles, singing and dancing for a New Year’s Eve celebration, and that’s what I’ll be bringing with me for my BBC One performance this New Year! The band and I can’t wait, and we have some special surprises planned. I’m so honoured to have been asked to bid a fond farewell to 2024 with you all, and to welcome in an exciting 2025 together. Get your disco shoes ready! I’ll be wearing mine…”
Last year, Rick Astley brought in 2024 with Sharleen Spiteri, Rylan and The House Gospel Choir. Previous New Year’s Eve acts include Eurovision singer Sam Ryder, band Years And Years, US music star Alicia Keys and R&B singer Craig David.
In October, Ellis-Bextor announced her biggest UK headline tour to date. At the end of 2023 one of her most well-known songs, Murder On The Dancefloor, experienced a revival after it featured in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she found a new audience with her lockdown kitchen disco performances where she encouraged people to sing and dance in their own kitchens as she live-streamed from home with her own family.
The festivities will continue after BBC One goes live to London for the fireworks display.
The singer will kick off her celebrations earlier in the day with Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s NYE Kitchen Disco on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 12-2pm.
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English (US) ·