Andrew Ridgeley has been promoting the new BBC documentary Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, which gives viewers an insider look at the making of Wham!’s holiday classic from 1984, Last Christmas. Released 40 years ago, the song features storytelling elements through its memorable music video, where George Michael plays the boy who gave his heart to someone, only for her to give it away to Ridgeley’s character.
The music video features appealing visuals set against the backdrop of a snowy ski resort. Recently, Andrew, along with Wham!’s backing vocalists, Pepsi DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, revisited the locations where the original music video was filmed. While this was undoubtedly a wholesome full-circle moment, Ridgeley expressed sorrow over the absence of his late friend and partner, George, wishing he could have explored the Swiss mountains with him.
Ridgeley candidly reflected on the completion of Last Christmas Unwrapped without George, who passed away from heart and liver disease on December 25, 2016. “It felt like it was missing a piece because of George’s absence,” he shared with Hello! magazine, noting how enough time has passed to cherish their memories instead of mourning. The painful irony of George dying on Christmas Day looms large, especially considering it was his favorite time of year. He left this world at the age of 53, with his death attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy intertwined with myocarditis and fatty liver.
The creation of Last Christmas is remembered as George’s artistic triumph. According to Ridgeley, it was during a visit to his parents’ home when George wrote the song. “He was holed up in his childhood bedroom for up to an hour, only to emerge with the melody fully formed,” Ridgeley explained. George's multi-talented musical skills shone as he played most of the instruments on the track, including drums and keyboards, during the recording at Advision Studios in London during the summer of 1984. Upon its release, Last Christmas spent five consecutive weeks at the number two spot on the UK singles chart, overshadowed only by Band Aid’s holiday anthem Do They Know It’s Christmas?.
Decades later, Last Christmas finally ascended to the number one position and is recognized by the Official Charts Company (OCC) as the highest-selling single to never top the chart, with astonishing sales nearing 1.9 million—this figure does not even account for streaming figures. Fans can now relive the behind-the-scenes moments of this iconic song as the documentary offers fresh insights and scenery from the Swiss ski resort of Saas Fee, where the music video was filmed.
The documentary Last Christmas Unwrapped is currently available to stream on Netflix. Ridgeley also hinted at the possibility of more Wham!-themed projects coming soon, signifying his return to the spotlight after stepping back from the music scene since the mid-1980s.
On SBS and SBS on Demand, the documentary tells the enchanting story of how George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s Wham! turned one song—Last Christmas—into a cultural phenomenon. This nostalgic Christmas special celebrates the song’s 40th anniversary, taking viewers through the memories and its significance.
The film features prominent artists, producers, and industry experts discussing George Michael’s creative brilliance and the beloved music video’s secrets, using new interviews and the heartfelt sentiments of Wham!’s history. From players like Mary J. Blige and Bob Geldof, fans will gain insights on the themes of unrequited love and loss as the song continues to resonate.
Following the reunion of friends from the original music video, the documentary captures their reflections against the beautiful snow-covered backdrop of Saas-Fee, Switzerland. This charming film offers new interviews with Ridgeley, DeMacque-Crockett, and Shirlie Kemp, intertwining nostalgic clips with archival interviews featuring George Michael, providing both emotional depth and joy.
With heartfelt tributes like Ridgeley’s remark, “Last Christmas would have never existed without George Michael,” it’s evident this documentary is not just about nostalgia but also about celebrating the enduring legacy left behind by both George and Andrew as musical collaborators and best friends.
