Freya Ridings doesn't think her Christmas will be any different now that she's famous
"It's a lovely community spirit"
Despite having several hits to her name and a Top 5 album, Freya Ridings doesn't think her Christmas will be any different, now that she's famous. Freya joined us backstage at Hits Live last month (November) before performing her hits including 'Castles'.
Hits Live is back in 2020, find out more information and buy tickets NOW!
The singer explained to Hits Radio's Jordan Lee that she lives in a part of London where no-one cares about it being famous, saying, "I love it. It's the same people, the same postman, since I was like five years old."
The 25-year-old also told how at Christmas her family love a "chilled Christmas, with board games and playing music." Freya went on to reveal that Balderdash is her favourite board game, but she also loves Cards Against Humanity. Who doesn't?
WATCH: Freya Ridings reveals what her Christmas will be like
The 'Castles' singer also told how despite her being a successful musician, it's her brother who usually ends up on the piano at Christmas. "He's going for his Beethoven," she explained, "And I'm like, 'can I have a go?'... He's literally like my best friend."
Freya has even done a collab with her brother, "He's incredible," she explained, "He sings, he raps, but he's also being an actor, he's doing his drama course... So he's all-round talented."
During the interview, Freya told about the time she was star stuck meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, "There have been so many, genuinely. I think Prince William and Catherine," she said.
"I played at a charity event and they were so gracious and so humble, just the loveliest family. I was like, 'This is just crazy, this is literally like a wild dream just to even be in their presence'."
Hits Live is back in 2020, find out more information and buy tickets NOW!
Now take a look at some of the best board games around this Christmas:
Back To The Future – Dice Through Time
Great Scott! Time is a mess thanks to the meddling of Biff Tannen (who else?) and it's up to you to sort it out with Doc Brown and Marty McFly in this timeline-hopping adventure game. Fire up the DeLorean!
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 45-60 mins
Pandemic
If there's a board game equivalent to a modern classic blockbuster, Pandemic is it. Players assemble as a team of military, medical and logistical minds to find a cure for four deadly viruses plaguing the global population. Let's call it catharsis.
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 45 mins
The Mandalorian Monopoly
Do you know what Monopoly has always needed more of? Baby Yoda. Pick up property across the Outer Rim, with player tokens including Mando himself, Moff Gideon, and – yes – The Child. A classic board game with a Star Wars twist? This is the way.
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 60 mins
Ticket To Ride: Europe
In Ticket To Ride: Europe, players race to establish their place in the competitive world of European steam locomotion at the turn of the century. The goal is to establish the most comprehensive train line with the most connected routes. It's easy to pick up and hard to put down.
Players: 2-5
Playtime: 30-60 mins
A Game Of Thrones Catan: Brotherhood Of The Watch
You've watched all eight seasons of Game Of Thrones. You've spent hours harvesting resources in Settlers Of Catan. Now combine the two in a version of the beloved game themed around George RR Martin's fantasy novels (yes, this is book-centric – note the indefinite article in A Game Of Thrones). Join the Night's Watch, prepare for the invasion of the Wildlings, and beware: winter is coming.
Players: 3-4
Playtime: 45 mins
Gloomhaven
Welcome to Gloomhaven, home to society's outcasts, rejects and ne'er-do-wells. Taking up the role of a mercenary, players will trek outside of this settlement wall to discover the secrets and treasures in the surrounding forests and dungeons. There's danger and loot a-plenty to be found, as each unique scenario unfolds an ever-developing narrative. With 17 playable classes, 47 enemy types, and 1,700 cards to hand, Gloomhaven isn't for the faint of heart, but the rewards for mastering its world are great.
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 60-120 mins
Rivals for Catan: Deluxe
In this two-player adaptation of the original Catan game, players work for supremacy by gathering resources, building towns and settlements, attracting local heroes, and bartering with their rivals. This Deluxe edition includes three expansions, The Era of Gold, The Era of Turmoil and the Era of Progress, which introduce additional buildings and hero types to develop the story of Catan with every play-through.
Players: 2
Playtime: 45-60 mins
Escape The Dark Sector
Escape The Dark Sector has players confined to the detention block of a deep-space station. But not for long, for there's a breakout afoot. You'll have to make the most of the tools, weaponry and gadgetry found along the way, using them and your wits to avert detection, confrontation and an untimely death. The game mixes traditional tabletop gameplay with chapter cards to ensure that play is always fresh and diverse. It's a masterwork of atmosphere and storytelling.
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 20-60 mins
Scythe
Set in an alternate-1920s landscape, this handsomely illustrated game has players take on the role of fallen faction leaders, attempting to rebuild their forces. Scythe is an engine-building game and involves conquering territories, enlisting recruits, building structures and activating dormant mechs in the struggle to gain the upper hand and dominate the board.
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 90-115 mins
Star Wars: Outer Rim
For more experienced gamers, head out to the fringes of the Star Wars universe and channel your inner scoundrel in a world of bounty hunters and smugglers. And yes, you can play as Han Solo (or Lando Calrissian, if that's more your style). Don't get cocky, kid – and remember to shoot first.
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 120-180 mins
Shot in the Dark - The Ultimate Unorthodox Quiz Game
How many litres of Vodka does the average Russian person drink each year? Out of every 100 babies born in Europe, how many are conceived in an Ikea bed? It's time for some lateral thinking and some educated guesstimation with Shot In The Dark, the unorthodox quiz. Critical mind: engage.
Players: 2+
Playtime: 10 mins +
Disney Villainous
Being bad feels pretty good. Channel your favourite fairytale villains in a game that references a bunch of Disney classics, letting players strive for evil deeds as the likes of Ursula, Captain Hook, Maleficent and Jafar. Look out for expansions packs 'Evil Comes Prepared' and 'Wicked To The Core' to add extra characters.
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 50 min
Jumanji: The Board Game
Fun fact: nothing bad has ever happened as a result of people playing Jumanji. No sir-ee! Enjoy consequence-free dice rolls in this jungle adventure that absolute will not devour decades of your life if you make any wrong moves. Does anyone else hear those ominous drums? Just us?
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 45 mins
Forbidden Sky
Facing off against high winds and deadly lightning strikes, players must locate and wire electrical junctions to power their only means of escape, an abandoned rocket. It seems simple enough, but as provisions run low and the gathering storm nears, you'll have to rely on cooperation and decisive communication to make it out alive. The third instalment of the Forbidden series, Forbidden Sky is arguably the most-accomplished outing yet.
Players: 2-5
Playtime: 45-60 mins
Jurassic Park – Danger!
Hold onto your butts! Bring Isla Nublar into your living room in a game that tasks players with legging it across the island to restore power and survive the dinosaur outbreak – and lets one lucky player control the prehistoric predators themselves. That's… that's chaos theory.
Players: 3-5
Playtime: 50 mins
Jaws
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the tabletop. Ravensburger's loving homage to Steven Spielberg's toothy classic is, like the film, a game of two halves – beginning on the shores of Amity Island, before heading out into open water aboard The Orca.
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 60 mins
Mountains Of Madness
Guillermo del Toro has never been able to make his adaptation of HP Lovecraft's At The Mountains Of Madness, you can at least play this beautifully-designed game themed around the chilly horror novella. Just try to retain your sanity as you ascend the titular summit.
Players: 3-5
Playtime: 60-90 mins
You can hear songs by Freya Ridings on Hits Radio.
Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.