THE composer who wrote Walking in the Air for The Snowman has told how the story’s creator Raymond Briggs can’t bear to utter its full name.

Howard Blake, who is also behind the theatre version of The Snowman, said Mr Briggs calls his famous story the ‘ S word’ and hates Christmas.

Mr Blake has urged Raymond Briggs to drop his boycott of the theatre show and join him on stage in Brighton next month.

Mr Blake, who wrote the iconic song for the film, created the play that has been running in theatres for over 20 years.

He said Mr Briggs, the author of the original picture book, had snubbed the show whenever he had been invited.

Mr Blake journeyed more than 60 miles to Mr Briggs’ house near Ditchling this summer in a plea to the writer to attend the show at Theatre Royal Brighton.

Mr Blake said: “Stuart Griffiths from the Ambassadors Theatre Group [that runs TRB] said ‘what about you and Raymond going on stage and talking about the show?’

“I said I’d love to do it but he couldn’t get hold of Raymond. So I drove down to his house and said, ‘come on Raymond, let’s do it, it would be fantastic’”.

Mr Briggs, who lives in Westmeston, near Ditchling, has often disassociated himself with The Snowman so he wasn’t keen on the prospect – but Mr Blake has not given up the idea just yet.

He said: “I’m still trying to persuade Raymond to do it. I’m trying very hard but it’s proved difficult. He said he calls the Snowman the ‘S word’ and that he hates Christmas. He has refused to come and see the show. I don’t think he’s ever seen it. Don’t ask me why. We’ve invited him.”

The two men only met a few years after the animated film version of The Snowman, featuring Mr Blake’s Walking in the Air, had been broadcast on television at Christmas time.

Mr Blake grew up in Brighton in the 1950s and 60s before moving to London and said he “absolutely adores” the city.

The Snowman runs at Theatre Royal Brighton from January 24 to 28. For a full interview with Howard Blake see The Guide.