Beverley Knight says her family’s Covid-19 battles inspired NHS song performance

Beverley Knight has said she was inspired to help create a music video in aid of NHS workers after her mother and brother were struck down with suspected cases of Covid-19.

The singer, 47, told the PA news agency that both her family members struggled to cope with the virus despite generally being in good health.

She has appeared alongside fellow singer Joss Stone as part of the NHS Relief campaign which saw the pair cover Lean On Me by Bill Withers alongside more than 100 other artists from across the UK.

Sentebale concert – London — Stone also sang on the track (Tabatha Fireman/PA)

Knight said: “My brother is a very fit, very strong, athletic type of man and it took him out for a month. He really struggled.”

She said that her mother, who is 72 and used to work as a nurse, is very healthy for her age but also struggled with the illness.

“My mum, to be perfectly honest with you, frightened me,” Knight said.

“She was very ill, very ill indeed.”

Her mother and brother had to be taken to hospital at different times while they fought the illness but both of their conditions have subsequently improved, Knight said.

She added that she has a “deep-rooted family history” with the NHS because many of her relatives have worked for the health service.

The singer said her sister and her colleagues, who work for the 111 information service, had a “cameo” in the music video “having a little dance and singing outside”.

The song, which will be made available across streaming platforms, is raising money for the NHS Charities Together and You Okay, Doc? charities.

Knight said: “I hope that people will love it enough to donate whatever they can, that’s the aim of the game here.

“We are trying to raise as much money as we can for the various NHS charities.”

This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh has also been recruited to help lead the campaign.

British Academy Children’s Awards — Dr Ranj Singh (Yui Mok/PA)

He said: “The NHS is a big part of my life and I know how important it is and how important it is right now.

“Anything we can do to boost morale and make people on the front line feel more appreciated is vital, because they’re doing an incredible job for all of us.

“This is a really lovely thing to do for them in return.”