A BAND with deep Wrexham roots' version of a Christmas classic was used on the highly anticipated return episode of Gavin and Stacey.
8band, whose lead members grew up in Wrexham, were shocked to hear their version of 'Santa Baby' was to be used on the acclaimed Christmas special.
The band's cover appeared in the scene where Stacey (played by Joanna Page) finds matches she kept from the first time she met Gavin.
The episode was viewed by 11 and a half million people - making it the most watched Christmas TV show of the decade.
Local members of the four piece, unsigned band - now based on the Wirral - include Martin Simms, originally from Wrexham, and wife Tracey - who grew up in Cefn Mawr.
The band, together since 1995, joins an illustrious group of artists to have songs played on the BBC show's Christmas specials - including the likes of Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Shakin' Stevens.
Martin said: "In about September we got an email out of the blue from a BBC production guys, who said they wanted to use one of our recordings in a TV show they were making.
"I rang him and he told me that James Corden and Ruth Jones had been played our version of the song and really liked it - going as far as requesting that someone contact us to ask if they could use our Santa Baby version in their Gavin and Stacey Christmas special.
"Who were we to say no?"
8band's version of Santa Baby can be purchased at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/8band/id512499156
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