X Factor duo Same Difference set to release NHS charity single featuring Portsmouth children

MORE than 100 Portsmouth children’s voices are set to feature on a charity single raising funds for NHS staff.

By Belinda Dickins

Published 23rd Jul 2020, 15:40 BST

Updated 23rd Jul 2020, 15:59 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Pop duo Same Difference, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2007, have reunited for one last single together to give thanks to the NHS - and recruited young talent from the area to help out.

Widley-born siblings Sean Smith and Sarah Wilson have not released a track together in 10 years, but have recorded a song through lockdown which features students from Sarah’s performing arts school SD Studios.

Written by the pair’s music teacher John Gleadall from their time at Purbrook Park School, One Life, One Love will be released on August 3 and is available for pre-order.

Same Difference pictured in 2011. Picture:Steve Reid 110373-608

Same Difference pictured in 2011. Picture:Steve Reid 110373-608

Although Sean, 34, still sings - with his debut album Solo released this week - the charity single was 31-year-old Sarah’s first time recording for a while, and it was important to her to include students from Buckland-based SD Studios.

X Factor star Sean is back - and fans will see a definite difference

Sarah said: ‘To me, the studios and the kids there are my life. To do a single and not have them be part of it would seem really weird to me.’

The single was produced from students sending in voice notes of themselves performing, which were pulled together to produce the final piece.

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Sean Smith

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Sean Smith

‘It took our producer hours to line them all up and actually the result is that it sounds like a proper choir, like it has been done in the recording studio,’ said Sarah.

‘I’m over the moon with it and all the kids are buzzing. It’s been amazing because we have all been at home and it’s given us a focus.’

SEE ALSO: Venues across Portsmouth call on audiences to support them in 'nightmare' lockdown situation

A limited edition run of 100 CD single copies sold out in an hour and a half, and the pair hope to raise as much as possible to thank frontline staff.

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Sarah and Sean announcing the charity single

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Sarah and Sean announcing the charity single

Mum-of-two Sarah said: ‘We just owe them so much, when you think about the hours they have been putting in and the efforts they have been putting in to save people’s lives.

‘It could be your auntie, mum or children who need that service so it helps the whole nation by raising money for the NHS, our country wouldn’t have survived without it.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Children from SD Studios performing their parts of the song

X Factor pop duo Same Difference - made up of siblings Sarah Wilson and Sean Smith - are releasing a charity single called One Life, One Love to raise money for the NHS, featuring students from SD studios in Buckland. Pictured: Children from SD Studios performing their parts of the song

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.