Heartbreaking story behind East 17's 'Stay Another Day' that frontman didn't want released

Warning: this article mentions suicide which some readers may find distressing.

East 17's 'Stay Another Day' has always been a classic Christmas tune, after it first went to number one 30 years ago.

But did you know there's actually a pretty emotional backstory behind the track?

East17's Stay Another Day was released 30 years ago (Brian Rasic/Getty Images)

The band's frontman Tony Mortimer has explained that there's actually a sadness behind the song, after discussing the festive classic on BBC Breakfast earlier this week.

"It had nothing to do with Christmas. But they heard it, the powers that be and said that's a Christmas song that can compete with the likes of Mariah Carey. And I was like, 'oh please don't release this song,'" he told Jon Kay and Sally Nugent.

"Because it was so personal. I wanted it tucked away on the album and no one would really know about it but it became the song, you know."

Tony explained the inspiration behind the song (BBC)

Mortimer went on to explain that tragically, it was his brother's death that inspired the song.

"The inspiration originally was my brother's suicide. I drew on that to kind of write a love song around the pain of losing someone and if you could have that for one more day and what we would do and what we could do," he said.

"What I always say is what it means to the person that likes it, not what it means to me."

Mortimer explained that he wanted the song to be meaningful, adding: "I wanted to write in an ambiguous way that would mean a lot to a lot of people."

Mortimer said he wanted to make it meaningful (Brian Rasic/Getty Images)

Another timeless Christmas classic is Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

Released in 1984 to raise money for relief efforts in Ethiopia, the song has been a holiday staple ever since.

But as popular as the song is, it's come under some criticism over the years.

Some feel that the song perpetuates stereotypes about 'white saviours' and that some of the lyrics are insensitive.

However, Bob Geldof has recently spoken out and defended the song, which raised more than $178 million to combat poverty in Africa.

The 73-year-old told USA TODAY: "This record is an instrument of change.

"In 40 years, sensibilities change. But those wouldn’t see the light of day if it wasn’t for this record. This record gives you agency, a way to change the world a little bit … Any contradictory opinion gives me political leverage. Now it’s not just a pop song, it’s in the cultural arena."