From her kitchen to the stage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is treating viewers this New Year’s Eve
With Christmas behind us and 2025 on the horizon, households across Britain can get ready to party thanks to the BBC’s Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s NYE Disco.
This glittering TV event will certainly be a memorable one, as Sophie will perform her global top hits as well as some surprise numbers with the promise of a spectacular ending to 2024.
After being released in 2001, it was unexpected that Sophie’s song Murder on the Dancefloor would make an appearance in the 2024 charts. Thanks to the release of Saltburn, however, that became a reality. It featured in the film as Barry Keoghan’s character danced through the country house to it. The singer said: “It was over Christmas last year, we were at home, and just seeing the numbers going crazy for people interacting with the song on streaming and TikTok.”
Saltburn, starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, was released in November 2023, and Murder on the Dancefloor found its way back into the top 10 by January 2024. The song spent five weeks at the number two spot, only being held off by Noah Kahan’s Stick Season.
Sophie added: “The year started with an old friend Murder on the Dancefloor taking me for another twirl. To be honest, at that time it was all quite abstract, and I think this year has been about turning it into an actuality.”
Ever since the newfound success of one of her oldest hits, the singer ended up performing 110 gigs in 2024, as reported by the BBC. Sophie made her US TV debut by appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and on home ground she was seen performing at Glastonbury, in front of King Charles at the Royal Variety Show, and also invited to perform on stage at the Bafta film awards.
The star also raised spirits during lockdown as she livestreamed herself performing in her kitchen – aptly named Kitchen Disco. Since then, Kitchen Disco became a tour as well as a weekly addition to BBC Radio 2, with a New Year’s Eve special happening from 12-2pm on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Speaking of New Year’s Eve, Sophie has said her BBC appearance is “the cherry on top”, before adding, “New Year’s Eve is such a big deal, and I don’t take it lightly if people are choosing to spend it with us,
“So, I want to make sure we try and create the ultimate New Year’s Eve party. I just want to give this last boost of escapist fun.”
What time does Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s New Year’s Eve Disco start?
It airs from 11.30pm on Tuesday 31st December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer with the party continuing after the fireworks at 12.10am.
Who are the special guests appearing on Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s New Year’s Eve Disco?
Sophie will be joined by disco sensation Jessie Ware, and the pair will be performing the classic Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.
Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears will also be performing alongside Sophie: “Their album came out not too long after my first album, so we used to do a lot of stuff together. We’ve had some nights out, but it’s actually the first time we’ve sung together” said the Kitchen Disco host.
Sophie and Jake will be performing their rendition of two well-known Scissor Sisters tracks. This includes the hit Take Your Mama, which will feature “an epic guitar solo” by Emily Roberts, from the Brit-winning group The Last Dinner Party.
The MDL singers are also making an appearance, and are set to bring extra glamour to the show.
Of course, Sophie will be singing Murder on the Dance Floor as 2025 starts, but viewers can also expect to listen to her latest single Freedom of the Night.