All entrants made splendid efforts to produce watchable videos and demonstrated a range of vocal and acting abilities that would stand comparison with anything that might grace a West End stage. (That’s a lie, but it’s the season of good cheer and I feel I should reflect that fact in my assessment.)

One or two people could give up their daytime jobs to head for the bright lights. Most should probably stick to what they know best…

Breckon & Breckon gave us a fine karaoke performance of ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ – even though 90% of the participants were but a twinkle in the milkman’s eye when the original came out in 1984. Keith, the managing director, performed with gusto (Gusto and Keith – a great duo).

In their Love Actually inspired offering, Property Webmasters eschewed any charitable goal and went all out for winning new business. Sorry chaps, yer man looked suitably Andrew Lincoln-ish and the Keira Knightly stand-in looked suitably impressed – but I bet she winced when she saw him hold up the card with ‘my estate agencies performance’ on it instead of ‘my estate agency’s performance’.

Thomas Morris gave us a suitably professional quality video with an old chap looking rather wistfully out of the window wishing he was down the boozer instead of having to put up with the family arriving for Christmas lunch. Or maybe he really was remembering a childhood past. It nearly tugged at my Scrooge-like heartstring but I manfully fended it off.

Davis Tate produced the flashback story of ‘Charlie’ who we first meet standing in the street, looking a bit glum and with his hand outstretched. I was about to give him a couple of quid and ask for a copy of the Big Issue when I realised he was holding a set of house keys. To the strains of ‘Your Song’ we watched ‘Charlie’ growing up, until in the adulthood he demonstrated a worrying inability to use the keys to open a front door. (Tighter edit next time please…)

Gibbins Richards came jolly close to taking this year’s honours for their rendition of an original song, ‘You’re just what I needed today’ by Nick Girone-Maddocks, who is branch manager at their Wellington office. The catchy ballad got everyone singing along (little bit of polishing needed in the bridge, I felt) and their efforts at fundraising in a super cause deserves support. Well done to them.

JDG from Lancaster featured well-known agent Michelle Gallagher, and her colleagues, supporting a great local initiative to make Christmas special for those who use the local food bank. Well done to them too – and thank you for the light relief of having a spoken presentation rather than yet another sung one!

Red Door are familiar to many EYE readers and gave us a suitably festive-themed video featuring a succession of Christmas characters entering the office and nicking food and drink without asking. The ‘reindeer’ seemed particularly enamoured of its carrot. They were creeping up towards the top of my list when the word ‘Brexit’ was mentioned. I’m sorry but that killed any joy I might I have been feeling and the points were scrubbed.

That left me with Helmores. Short, entertaining, great film quality, fun, clear message, and demonstrating what local agents often do well – being involved in the community. Rather than for a charitable cause (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that of course!) they focused on Crediton high street, and got their business neighbours to take part. It made me want to visit the place. For doing something a bit different, and doing it so well, I have chosen this one as the winner of our video competition. The chocolates will soon be on their way to them.

Congratulations to Helmores and thanks to everyone who took part. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!