For Andrew Ridgeley, returning to the Swiss Alps to film scenes for the BBC documentary Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped brought a rush of nostalgia. The snowy landscapes of Saas-Fee, where the music video for the 1984 holiday classic “Last Christmas” was filmed, have always been special to him. Yet this time, the experience was undeniably bittersweet.
Ridgeley, one half of the beloved ’80s duo Wham!, admits that the moment felt “incomplete” without his late bandmate George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2016. Ridgeley shared with Hello! Magazine that while the process of recreating the iconic video scenes with the Swiss backdrop felt as if time had stood still, the absence of Michael, whom he affectionately called “Yog,” left a deep emotional void.
“We had a wonderful time,” Ridgeley said. “Recreating those scenes felt like yesterday, but it was incomplete because Yog wasn’t with us.” Although the grief of Michael’s death was still fresh, Ridgeley acknowledged that the years that followed have allowed for a gentler reflection on their time together. “Enough time has passed that we’re able to reminisce with fondness,” he added. “He would have wanted us to enjoy being together, even if he weren’t there.”
The documentary, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of “Last Christmas,” takes a deep dive into the song’s rise from a holiday hit to a cultural phenomenon. Ridgeley’s return to the Swiss mountains is part of this exploration, shedding light on the enduring impact of the song and their friendship.
The original music video for “Last Christmas” is a joyful affair, featuring Ridgeley and Michael playing out a love triangle involving a girl who takes Michael’s heart, only to give it away to Ridgeley. Despite the playful tension in the video, Ridgeley recalled that filming the iconic scenes was filled with camaraderie, laughter, and youthful fun.
“There was a lot of chaos,” Ridgeley reflected. “When George and I arrived, the others had already been enjoying the bar and things were already quite raucous.” He continued, “We were a group of friends having a wonderful time together—there was a real sense of camaraderie, enjoyment, and laughter.”
For Ridgeley, revisiting these memories is especially poignant given that Michael—who loved Christmas—passed away on the holiday. “It’s a painful irony,” Ridgeley admitted. “He loved Christmas. So his passing on Christmas Day adds another layer of grief to the time of year.”
However, over the years, Ridgeley has found solace in remembering his late friend, especially around the holidays. “While it was very difficult in the months following his death, the passage of time does dull the sharpness,” he said. “Now, we can remember Yog at Christmas positively.”
As the documentary sheds new light on Wham!’s legacy, Ridgeley teased more upcoming projects that will continue to celebrate their incredible bond and the music they made. These projects mark a shift from the more private years he’s spent out of the public eye since Wham! split in 1986.
“To be a part of something which has that kind of impact on people’s lives is extremely flattering and humbling,” Ridgeley shared. His words reflect not only his pride in the duo’s enduring success but also the deep friendship that sustained Wham! from their school days through to their rise to fame.
Looking ahead, Ridgeley is preparing to share even more about his musical journey with George Michael. While these new projects may bring back the magic of Wham!, they will always be tinged with the bittersweet absence of Yog, the friend who defined an era with him.
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