If only our 15-year-old self could have seen us last week. There we were, front row of the Christmas Top Of The Pops show recording, dancing along to a bit of Professor Green and Emeli Sande – and frankly, it was a right good laugh (well, it will be if we aren’t on camera tomorrow looking like a loon).
And that wasn’t all – we got to go backstage and hang out with all the acts too. That’s right – we were chatting to everyone from The Wanted (who we witnessed stuffing their face full of mince pies… Mm) to Example, Olly Murs and Little Mix (who were clad in their cute Top Shop personalised fluffy jumpers). Hurrah!
When we grabbed the girls for a quick word and photo, they told us they were so happy to have won The X Factor, but still hadn’t had time to take it all in. But “we’re totally honoured to be here”, a grinning Perrie explained. "It's Christmas Top Of The Pops!"
But elsewhere, there was another story being told. One of childhoods and Santa Claus, presents and drunkenness. Yes, we were talking to The Wanted boys. And boy, do they have some tales to tell.
Kicking off the fun was Max George, who explained he was a mighty 13 years old when he found out Father Christmas didn’t exist.
He admitted, "I was probably about 13 and my mum came up to see if Santa had eaten the mince pie and the reindeer's carrots had gone. But she had sugar round her mouth. And that's when I realised - Santa wasn't real. She had mince in her teeth!"
Aww, poor Maxy – don’t worry, we gave him a cuddle for you. Jay Mcguiness also told us he remembers finding out there was no Mr C.
He revealed, "Finding out Santa didn't exist was one of my big memories. I remember I was about five, my brother found out so came up and told everyone. I sat there feeling ropey for a while."
And lovely Siva Kaneswaran agreed, “I was gutted all day when I found out my brother told me.”
Poor boys! But at least they haven't let their bad Santa experiences stop them asking for some tremendous gifts this year. In fact, Nathan Sykes is hoping for something that has no chance of fitting down his chimney!
"I want a pool table! I'm going to get rid of my kitchen table and put it half in my living room and half in my kitchen. And it can be a dinner table too."
Not asking for much are you, Nath?
Finally Tom Parker shared his Christmas tradition with us. It was simple, yet effective and we think we might be following his lead on this one…
"My tradition is that I get drunk on Christmas eve, fall asleep on the sofa and then wake up hungover on Christmas day."
Well, let's all take a moment to imagine what's happening right now in Tom's house then... Merry Christmas indeed.
You can catch The Wanted, Little Mix, Professor Green, Emeli Sande, Olly Murs and more on the Top Of The Pops Christmas Special, tomorrow (Christmas Day) on BBC1, at 2pm. And see the very special Christmas message they left us here.