He tells Prog: "Les Penning is heard in every shop and on the radio this time of year because of his collaboration on Mike Oldfield's In Dulci Jubilo, the catchy Christmas instrumental, that's played on rotation with Slade and Wizzard.

"Loads of people hear his work every year and whistle along, but he goes unnoticed and doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. I met Les to arrange for him to play on my album Sanctuary II. We came up with the crazy idea of doing the song in three days, as it was getting close to Christmas."