David Tennant BBC Children in Need – Got it Covered – Sunshine On Leith

What was it that made you want to take part in BBC Children In Need?

Well this is the brain child of Shaun Dooley, who is an actor I first met on Broadchurch as did Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker. We have all been grabbed into this project by Shaun.

It was his idea, it was his brain child and he and his wife Polly have put it together. It’s for Children In Need so when the call comes it’s like national service, isn’t it, you don’t say no.

Why did you choose your song and what does it mean to you?

Well I had a few ideas of the song I might do but as soon as I suggested Sunshine On Leith by The Proclaimers, it seemed to be set in stone and everybody was very keen that we stick with that and it’s been a very important song for me.

I’ve loved The Proclaimers, they have been the soundtrack of my life really and this is their biggest anthem probably. This is the point, when you see The Proclaimers live, this is the point that everybody gets out their cigarette lighters and has a little cry. It’s a wonderful song. It’s just a beautiful, simple, soaring, wonderful song. I’ve always loved it.

Of course that’s a different challenge from actually having to perform it and make it sound okay but luckily we have Guy Chambers and his very clever mixing desk which will hopefully make me sound, if not like a professional singer then at least not unlike a very unprofessional actor.

How have you found the task of swapping your everyday acting job for singing in the spotlight?

I was quite blasé about it in the run up. I think I was, well I know I was, in denial about it to be honest. I wasn’t really confronting the reality of coming and singing on my own, in front of people who know what singing is supposed to sound like. When I arrived, the nerves descended and it took me quite a few goes in front of the mic to not be trembling in my voice. I don’t know if I ever managed it entirely but it was scary, it was intense. I felt quite drained by the end of it.

Just because there is something very exposing about singing, there is something very primal about it, isn’t there? And it’s not something I do in front of people, it’s something I do in the shower and to annoy my children. So to try to do it and try to do it well or as best I can in the circumstances, it’s quite intense and weirdly gruelling.