Nathan Carter praises Una Healy as they release Christmas duet

Nathan Carter has praised Saturdays singer Una Healy as they are gearing up to release a Christmas duet.

Nathan has a new festive album, Crazy Christmas, out now, having been released over the weekend.

His duet with Una, Mistletoe and Wine, marks the first time that the two singers have collaborated.

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However, they have been good friends for a number of years.

"I've worked with Una on different TV shows in the past when we did a couple of duets, and she was a guest on my own RTE series a few years ago," said Nathan. "It's been 10 years since I recorded a Christmas album and I was going to feature Mistletoe and Wine on it back then, but it didn't make it in the end."

Writing in the Sunday World's Magazine+, he added: "On this album we decided to feature it a duet with a female singer and Una was the first that came to mind."

Nathan said he thought of Una as she encapsulates both pop and country when it comes to her music.

"Una fits the bill perfectly because she's pop, but also country as well, and when I asked her she was up for it immediately," he said. "We'll be popping up on TV together performing Mistletoe and Wine in the weeks ahead, so watch out for that."

Nathan also spoke about heading to Australia for a short tour before Christmas, saying: "I'm really looking forward to it."

The collaboration comes as Una recently spoke publicly about her new relationship for the first time.

The former Saturdays singer is dating retired jockey Aidan Coleman, with the pair confirming their romance earlier this month after months of speculation.

Speaking at The Irish Post Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Una gushed: "He's hiding on his crutches tonight, but he's a great guy and I'm very happy."

On how they met, she added to The Sun: "He reached out to me and we met up and clicked. He's such a kind and great person - I love him."