It was the week before Christmas 2007 and as usual I had my television and the radio both on at the ame time. Around 1am, BBC Radio was broadcasting a live studio Christmas party. The format was completely open and any guest could go to the mic and chat with any BBC reporter of choice.

Gemma Ray was attending the party, having a lovely time with her BBC host when she started to tell a simply delightful story about a little girl living in the first Martian colony about to celebrate Christmas on another planet.

The little girl was named "Gemma", natuarally, and she was describing Christmas to her imaginary Martian friend, "Zoltar". "It's very important that on Christmas Eve you climb into bead and stay in bed especially if you hear comotion going on in the main room - that's Santa delivering presents but only if you fake being asleep".

Sure enough, in the wee hours of Christmas morning, the sound of gifts being placed around the Christmas tree was unmistakeable. Gemma immediately jumped out of bed and ran to the bedroom door to Sneak A Peek.

Zoltar, from his side of the bed protested, "I thought you said to stay in bed or Santa will pass you by - no Christmas presents for the wide awake".

To which Gemma replied, "Santa and I have a special understanding!".

Here's the album Gemma Ray was promoting at the BBC Christmas Party from 2007. While it has nothing to do with Christmas, Gemma's wonderful story comes back to me everytime I listen!