Justin Bieber has reunited with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir for their first ever collaboration, five years since they competed in the UK Christmas single charts.

The Lewisham and Greenwich choir shot to worldwide fame in 2015 after they claimed the top spot ahead of the Canadian superstar.

The trust's 'A Bridge Over You' went neck and neck with Justin's hit 'Love Yourself', but after hearing the story, the singer urged his fans to downloads the choir's song rather than his own.

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The tweet went viral, with the NHS single pulling ahead in the final hours and the friendship was formed.

 

 

They met in person shortly after, Justin noted, “I was honoured to meet everyone from the choir and I’m really happy that they got their number one.”

Now the unlikely pair have announced a new collaboration, with the choir adding their voices to a special version of Bieber's UK hit 'Holy'.

The choir came together to record ‘Holy’ at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London.

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The NHS and pop star will now both be hoping to top the music charts once again this Christmas, with the track being released on Friday, December 18.

The profits from the single will split between NHS Charities Together (which represents over 230 NHS charities) and the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of those on the medical frontline during the Coronavirus crisis.

Choir member Lizzie Farrant, 39, a midwife who was redeployed during the Covid-19 pandemic to help with staff shortages, told the PA news agency: “What a year it has been. We talk about the Christmas number one all of the time.

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"It’s given us so much. And whenever we talk about the Christmas number one, Justin Bieber is never far from our lips. They are synonymous with each other.”

Ms Farrant said members of the choir who had worked on the front line of the pandemic had “seen and experienced things they never imagined they would experience”.

The south east London trust said: "After a year where the country has learnt the true value of the NHS, seen for the heroes that they are, we're so proud that Justin and the choir have joined forces to pay tribute and raise further funds."

Justin had already donated profits from ‘Stuck With U, his charity single with Ariana Grande to the US charity First Responders Children’s Foundation’, who support first responders and their families.

Caroline Smith, children’s community physiotherapist, and, in her spare time, leader of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, said Justin "helped our dreams come true in 2015", and now he's doing the same this year.

"We really can’t thank him enough for the chance to work with him on this wonderful, uplifting song. We’re so proud to represent Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and all the heroes in the NHS.”

“It’s great to be reunited with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir, as we share a fun bit of UK chart history together,” said Justin Bieber. 

“Especially in these difficult times, I’m humbled to team up with them for a charity single that will benefit NHS workers on the frontlines of this pandemic and pay tribute to their unbelievable dedication.”