East 17's Tony Mortimer re-records Stay Another Day with Walthamstow choir for Christmas

  • London

It is 25 years since East 17's track Stay Another Day hit number one. Now the founder member of the east London based band, Tony Mortimer, has worked with Waltham Forest Youth Choir to re-record the song and raise money for a mental health charity close to his heart.

Tony said: "Everyone remembers Stay Another Day as a Christmas record, but underneath the white parkas and fake snow is a song about male mental health and a story about my brother who took his own life.

"CALM is a charity very close to my heart and I hope this release gives people who are struggling the confidence to speak up and seek help.’’

The band posing at Waltham Stadium greyhound track in 1994 Credit: Lawrence Watson

The song has been recorded as part of events around Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture. It features the 100 strong Waltham Forest Youth Choir, which has members from the ages of 11 to 16, accompanied by East London Brass.

Tony Mortimer accompanying the Waltham Forest Youth Choir Credit: Harvey Brown
The 2019 version of Stay Another Day being recorded Credit: Harvey Brown

Stay Another Day is being released by London Records with 25 per cent of sales being donated to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), the charity supporting people affected by suicide.

Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: "There's such a powerful message behind Stay Another Day and we're delighted to be a partner in this brilliant project.

"By supporting CALM and spreading this important message, we hope more people will know they are not alone and that there are people who can support them at what can, for many people, be a tough time."