Rhonda Burchmore is devastated she won’t be singing at Carols by Candlelight

Rhonda Burchmore has been a Carols by Candlelight regular for years, but this year she’s been overlooked to perform. Here’s why.

Rhonda Burchmore is outraged she hasn’t been considered for this year’s Carols by Candlelight. Picture: Julie Best.

Rhonda Burchmore is devastated that she has been overlooked to perform at her beloved Carols by Candlelight.

The veteran entertainer has performed at the event since the early 90s but this year was told by Channel 9 she wouldn’t be part of the line-up at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

The traditional Christmas Eve singalong will be held without a crowd due to public health considerations.

“I got the big fat no,’’ Burchmore told the Herald Sun.

“I’m really disappointed because it means so much to me. My mum and dad and sister always used to travel down to the Bowl.

“You give up your Christmas Eve and especially this year, it’s been a shit of a year for everyone and celebrating 40 years in the business, it would be a really lovely thing to sing this year.

Rhonda Burchmore.

“I’m Melbourne through and through. It is a bit like the grinch who has stolen Christmas for me.”

Burchmore said people had already said Christmas won’t be the same without her.

The showbiz queen has performed along with other regulars Silvie Paladino, Marina Prior, David Hobson and Denis Walter, and despite writing a letter was told she wouldn’t be appearing.

Channel 9 declined to comment but said she had not performed at Carols since 2010.

“Vision Australia said they had no idea, they said it’s a Channel 9 decision,’’ Burchmore said.

“I was part of the family there for so many years. My history with Channel 9 goes back to when I did my first show. I’ve had so much association with the network so I don’t know what I’ve done.

“It’s just sad and outrageous really. It’s at the Bowl with not a soul there and all those people at home. It just means the world to me.”

Burchmore believes all the regulars will be back, but she’s the only one who has been excluded.

“The other thing I believe they said is too many theatrical people,’’ she said.

“I don’t care what age they are as long as they can deliver. Rather than the latest person who won The Voice or some reality star up there.

“I wasn’t being full of myself, but I’ve got a whole new lot of fans as a result of coming out of the jungle (and I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!). All I was told was a big fat no.”