The Flying Pickets - Only You Christmas 1983

The Flying Pickets performing the Christmas number one, Only You. Their debut single was released in November 1983, reaching the top of the charts and remaining at Number One for five weeks.

The band were formed in 1981 by Welsh actor Brian Hibbard and were named after the practice of travelling specially to join picket lines.

The members of the band were taken from co-stars in the 7:84 theatre group who had utilised acapella styles in their play One Big Blow. They followed up Only You with When You're Young And In Love, which reached number seven.

Founder member Hibbard left the group in 1986 and enjoyed much success in soaps such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Pobl Y Cwm. He also starred in the hit 1999 film Twin Town alongside Rhys Ifans.


Brian Hibbard died 17 June 2012, aged 65.