Dave Purchase, a 63-year-old singer from Gloucester, has smashed the Guinness World Record by singing Christmas songs non-stop for an astonishing 42 hours. Starting at midnight on December 10th and continuing until the evening of December 12th, Dave performed 684 festive songs, showcasing extraordinary stamina and vocal endurance.
Despite battling extreme fatigue and moments where he felt like he was “hallucinating,” Dave remained determined and resilient. Around the 32-hour mark, when sleep deprivation made continuing seem impossible, the support and cheering of a lively crowd reignited his spirit and kept him going.
The event took place at Gloucester’s docks and drew enthusiastic support from local dementia and children’s choirs, as well as town residents who helped keep the festive atmosphere alive. Dave’s playlist included a mix of beloved Christmas classics like “Step Into Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” and Wham!’s iconic “Last Christmas.”
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To meet the stringent Guinness World Records guidelines, Dave was allowed only a five-minute break per hour or a 20-minute break if he sang continuously for four hours. Between songs, he took just 20 seconds of rest, highlighting the incredible physical and mental challenge of the feat.
Reflecting on the experience, Dave shared, “I nearly gave up at 4 a.m. on Friday. I was hallucinating from lack of sleep and falling asleep mid-song. But as soon as the crowd arrived, the adrenaline kicked in, and I knew I had to push through.”
His rich background in singing, which includes performing on cruise ships and in theatre, gave him the confidence to take on this intense challenge. Dave also intended the event to be a “nutty” way to draw attention and trade to the Gloucester docks, but it evolved into a joyful community celebration.
Participants and spectators embraced the festive spirit, many dressing as characters from famous Christmas songs, fostering camaraderie and new friendships throughout the two-day singathon.
Currently, the record was held by Ewaoluwa Olatunji from Lagos, Nigeria, who sang for 31 hours in December 2023. Dave and his team have submitted all necessary documentation—videos, photos, and time sheets—to Guinness World Records and await official confirmation that the new record is his.