A decade ago, they came within a few thousand copies of scoring a coveted Christmas number one.
But Lowestoft rockers The Darkness could soon be taking another shot at hitting the top of the charts over the festive season – with a little help from a group of talented youngsters.
The band's tilt at reaching number one in 2003 with Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End), just fell short when it peaked at number two, losing out to Mad World by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews.
However, it appears the group could be about to release a new version of the song in America, with some extra vocal support.
Earlier this month, at a special recording at the Seagull Theatre in Pakefield, two of the members of The Darkness – Dan Hawkins and Ed Graham – returned to Lowestoft to team up with the Theatretrain choir.
After the recording session, Dan tweeted: 'Just recorded Lowestoft Seagull Theatretrain kids choir for upcoming release. Very talented kids indeed. Great to be back @ The Seagull too!'
Sarah Roat, the director of Theatretrain Lowestoft, said The Darkness had approached her singing teacher Katrina Richards because they wanted children to sing on their upcoming release.
She said they had been sworn to secrecy which meant that the 15-strong choir, whose members are aged between nine and 16, only found out about their performance on the morning of the recording.
She said: 'It was very exciting. We asked the children to come in a little bit early on the day because we had something special planned. That was all we said. They arrived and kept asking us 'What is it?'.
'When Katrina announced it to everyone, the room fell silent and when The Darkness actually got into the room I think they realised that these people were professional and it was very exciting.'
She added: 'They were very down to earth. Dan particularly was really good with the children and they have all got a sense of humour too, which helps when you are working with children.'
Dan and Ed, who both went to Kirkley High School, visited Theatretrain at the Seagull Theatre on October 5.
In the original festive hit 10 years ago, the backing vocals were provided by the school choir from Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, in New Cross, south-east London, which Justin and Dan's mother once attended.
The latest development comes as Dan, Ed and their fellow band-members – Dan's brother Justin and Frankie Poullain – prepare for their first-ever hometown shows at The Aquarium on Claremont Pier on December 18-19.
Yesterday, a spokesman for The Darkness, who re-formed in 2011 after a five-year break, said he could not confirm if or when the new version of Christmas Time might be released.
? Theatretrain Lowestoft caters for youngsters aged between eight and 16 who are interested in singing, dancing or acting. For more information, contact Sarah Roat on 07828 894077.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here