Carol Wright joined a coachload of people sharing festive names on a National Express service for a bit of carol singing
16:47, 08 Dec 2025
Carol Wright, mother of Mark Wright, was among a jolly coach party of 53 fellow Carols and Noels who embarked on a festive singalong adventure. National Express laid on the special service from London Victoria Coach Station exclusively for this group of like-named revellers. IDs were verified before boarding, and many passengers donned novelty Christmas jumpers in line with the ‘festive fun’ dress code.
The celebration follows National Express, Britain’s largest coach operator, announcing complimentary Christmas Day travel for anyone called Carol or Noel across any of its 355 services reaching 96 destinations nationwide.
The passenger list featured a Noel Fielding doppelgänger alongside Carol, with everyone invited to sing Christmas classics during the trip to embrace the seasonal cheer.
Carol joined a coach of other Carols for a festive coach trip(Image: PinPep)
John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, said: “Carol and Noel are the most festive names, so we were delighted to welcome so many on board to kick off the holiday season.
“This year we are feeling more festive than ever before and we can’t wait to welcome Carols and Noels for their free journeys with us on Christmas Day. Singing Christmas songs is optional.
“With planned rail disruption over the festive period, we’re once again stepping up to help people get home this Christmas with thousands of coach services across our key intercity and airport routes.”
The group were encouraged to participate in a group singalong to lift their Christmas spirits(Image: PinPep)
A nationwide survey has crowned ‘Silent Night’ as Britain’s most cherished Christmas carol, with more than a third (35%) of voters selecting it as their favourite. The beloved hymn was followed closely by ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.
More than a third of those surveyed admitted they don’t feel properly festive until they’ve sung their first carol of the season, whilst 45% said hearing these traditional melodies instantly transports them back to Christmases past.
Around 40% of respondents suggested that an excellent Christmas carol needs to be singable and possess a ‘traditional feel’, whilst 37% emphasised the importance of memorable lyrics.
The OnePoll.com research also revealed other favourites, including ‘O Holy Night’ (15%) and ‘Away in a Manger’ (12%). Meanwhile, ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ just missed out on the top 10, landing in 11th position.
John commented to say: “There’s something magical about hearing carols drift through the air during the holidays. “Whether you’re out singing them door-to-door, or aboard a coach with three dozen people named Carol or Noel, they’re timelessly festive.
“Singing them at this time of year is almost guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit, even if there’s no snow on the ground.”
THE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS CAROLS:
1. Silent Night
2. Come All Ye Faithful
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
4. Holy Night
5. Joy To The World
6. Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. Away In A Manger
8. Once In Royal David’s City
9. Mary’s Boy Child
10. In The Bleak Midwinter
