David Baddiel and Frank Skinner have released a festive version of their iconic Three Lions anthem ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, with the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory incorporated into the lyrics.
The two comedians have reunited with The Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie for Three Lions (It’s Coming Home For Christmas), which also features a seasonal music video.
Skinner sings 'loving the Lionesses win' during the opening verse, before singing the chorus: 'Three Lions on a sleigh, with She-Lions' inspiration. Santa says let’s play the Christmas tree formation.'
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The famous chorus of 'Three Lions on the shirt' becomes 'Three Lions on a sleigh', while Sir Geoff Hurst and Lioness stars Jess Carter and Beth England also feature in the music video.
The duo first recorded the song ahead of Euro '96 and it became a smash hit that has become synonymous with England’s campaigns at major tournaments.
The line that describes ‘36 years of hurt’ has been updated to ‘56 years of hurt’ as Baddiel and Skinner poke fun at the men’s team's long luckless run in major international tournaments.
This is the fourth version of the song that Baddiel and Skinner have released since the inaugural 1996 version, with further releases in 1998 and 2010.
Speaking about the song, Skinner told the Sun: "We just had to do it. Christmas World Cup songs are not like buses.
"If we’d let this opportunity pull away, it would have been a very long wait for the next one."
Baddiel added: "It’s between me and Mariah Carey for who really is the voice of Christmas."
