Four maidens of metal have teamed up with a bad-boy soap star to make a Christmas single to remember.

Stevenage-based female rock band JOANovARC have joined forces with John Altma – aka ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton from Eastenders – to produce a Christmas tribute to Iggy Pop’s classic track Real Wild Child (Wild One).

The four-piece band, which formed in 2004, consists of Sam Walker on lead vocals and guitar, Shelley Walker and Laura Ozholl both on guitar and vocals, and Deborah Wildish on drums.

Shelley said: “We met John on cruise ships when we were performing rock shows years ago and we stayed friends ever since. We invited him to the Balstock festival in Baldock to sing as a guest with us.

“Our record label saw the video online and asked if we would release a Christmas single with John.

“We were delighted and decided a Christmas version of Wild One by Iggy Pop would be a perfect song and would suit John and the band. The single is now on the list at Coral bookmakers to make Christmas Number One. It’s rivals are Band Aid, X Factor and many more.”

The song is released digitally worldwide, including iTunes, from today. To see more about the band visit www.joanovarc.co.uk.