The BRIT Award-winning \u2018S Club 7\u2019 star and solo artist Jo O\u2019Meara gets the Halloween celebrations started in spine-tingling fashion as she releases a spooktacular take on Michael\u00a0Jackson\u2019s \u2018Thriller\u2019 to mark the 40th anniversary of the song\u2019s release.<\/p>\n
This new version of the song features The Celebs, an all-star line-up which includes Anne Hegerty of \u2018The Chase\u2019 performing Vincent Price\u2019s hair-raising role. The song is released in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity GOSH. Both the song and the accompanying video see Jo and The Celebs in a full-on \u2018Thriller\u2019 fright night as night creatures call and the dead start to walk. The frightful fear factory visual features guests including:<\/p>\n
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– Anne Hegerty – would you rather face The Governess on \u2018The Chase\u2019, or stand and face the hounds of hell?<\/p>\n
– Bethannie Hare – the rising singer, also known for her role as Cher McQueen in \u2018Hollyoaks\u2019.<\/p>\n
– Tyger Drew-Honey – the actor and TV personality who has starred in \u2018Outnumbered\u2019, \u2018Cuckoo\u2019 and \u2018Horrid Henry\u2019.<\/p>\n
– Ivan Kaye – the towering actor who stars in \u2018The Borgias\u2019, \u2018Vikings\u2019 and \u2018The Green Green Grass\u2019.<\/p>\n
– Kathy Hill – the model who memorably played George Michael\u2019s love interest in \u2018Last Christmas\u2019 by Wham!<\/p>\n
– Faye Barker – the ITN news presenter, reporter and podcast host.<\/p>\n
– Verona Rose – presenter of ITV\u2019s \u2018Secret Crush\u2019 and Naomi in the Netflix hit \u2018Top Boy\u2019.<\/p>\n
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Jo O\u2019Meara says, \u201cI have always been a huge fan of MJ! \u2018Thriller\u2019 is an all-time classic and this year it turns 40. It seems the perfect song for Halloween 2022!\u201d<\/p>\n
While Jo and The Celebs enjoyed hours of fun making this new version of \u2018Thriller\u2019, their ambition is to raise funds for GOSH. Each year, GOSH faces an incredible task \u2013 to raise millions to support Great Ormond Street Hospital to remain at the forefront of paediatric medicine. Every day, about 600 children and young people from across the UK arrive for life-changing treatments. And every day, young lives hang in the balance as patients, families and staff battle the most complex illnesses. The money raised by GOSH helps support their patients and their families through their immensely challenging experiences, and funds research to find the life-saving cures of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
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The Celebs were formed by music industry executives Grahame and\u00a0Jack\u00a0Corbyn, who decided to use their expertise to raise some much-needed funds for some amazing charities with the help of an array of like-minded stars of the entertainment industry. \u2018Thriller\u2019 is their fourth release following the celeb-packed singles \u2018Rock With Rudolph\u2019 (2018, also benefiting GOSH), \u2018Merry Christmas Everyone\u2019 (2020, for the Alzheimer\u2019s Society and Action For Children) and \u2018Let It Be\u2019 (2021, for Mind).<\/p>\n
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Surrey Rocks caught up with Jo O\u2019 Meara for an exclusive chat about her upcoming single, album, appearance at SFW and more.<\/p>\n
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Can you tell us how this wonderful collaboration with \u2018The Celebs\u2019 came about? <\/strong><\/p>\n The collaboration with \u201cThe Celebs\u201d is the brainchild of my amazing management team. I was lucky enough to be asked to appear in this latest adventure for the wonderful charity Great Ormand Street. Whilst filming and recording I met Grahame and Jack and we instantly all hit it off, I am now proud to be a part of their wonderful team at Saga Entertainment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How much fun was it creating the \u2018Thriller\u2019 video for this single?<\/strong><\/p>\n The video shoot day was the funniest day ever! None of us had really met before and suddenly we are dressing up as zombies making quite unusual noises and we giggled all day! I met some amazing people and it was all for a wonderful charity!!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Have you always been a Michael Jackson fan? <\/strong><\/p>\n I have been a huge fan since I can remember. I think he really was the most phenomenal performer. A complete genius at what he did, and there will never be another MJ! I went to his \u2018History\u2019 concert and actually passed out believe it or not! And I\u2019m not ashamed to say it (lol)\u00a0!!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Does it feel good to be tying up with Great Ormand Street raising money for such a good cause? <\/strong><\/p>\n It feels amazing to be doing this for such an amazing charity. The work they do is just incredible, and if we can help in some way achieve new trials, more research or more vital equipment, then I think that\u2019s amazing!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n We hear you are releasing a new album soon, can you tell or readers more?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes! I am beyond excited to be getting back in and writing the next album! I can\u2019t let you know too much info just yet! But it will definitely be worth the wait when it\u2019s released next year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n How is life after S Club 7? <\/strong><\/p>\n Life is very good. I\u2019m in a really strong place both physically and mentally. I had a slight set back with a back operation recently, but everyday I\u2019m stronger and I\u2019m excited to get back to doing what I love \u2013 singing and performing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Are there any plans for the group reform for a one-off concert or tour again soon?<\/strong><\/p>\n This is probably the question I\u2019m asked about the most! And the honest answer is… who knows? There are no plans or talks going on at the moment as everyone is busy doing their own stuff…. but you never know? Watch this space, will let you guys know first!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n What was the greatest career highlight being in the group?<\/strong><\/p>\n There were honestly so many from winning Brits to Worldwide tours! We were very lucky and had so many highlights. Although I think performing for the Queens Golden Jubilee last year will always be one of my most proudest moments. It really was a special day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What was your favourite S Club 7 track and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think one of my favourite S Club songs was \u2018All In Love Is Fair\u2019 – I just loved how grown up it was. And at the time the whole vibe was sultry and not as pop as the others so it really stood out.\u00a0I will also say that \u2018Reach For The Stars\u2019 is one of my personal favourites too. It makes people so happy when they hear it. So that\u2019s always going to be up there.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you still friends or in touch with the other band members?<\/strong><\/p>\n We touch base once in a while and see how each other are etc, it\u2019s very hard to see people as we already scattered all over and busy with life! I saw Rachel a few months back, and it was lovely to see her (as always!!)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Does it feel good to be back in the recording studio?<\/strong><\/p>\n It always feels good to be back in a recording studio! I\u2019ve said many times in the past, to me the studio is home, it\u2019s where I feel the most comfortable and it\u2019s my definite happy place.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you weren\u2019t a singer what career path would you have chosen?<\/strong><\/p>\n Oohh that\u2019s a good one! Well… if I had been clever enough I would have been a vet!! But I\u2019m not that clever (lol!) so I would have to say working with animals in some way that doesn\u2019t need the veterinary qualifications!!<\/p>\n