Colin Chisholm’s son in barbed message to trolls mocking Hearts pitch appearance
Colin Chisholm’s son took aim at an English football fan account in a barbed social media rebuttal
The son of local music legend Colin Chisholm has hit back at online critics mocking his father’s pre-match musical performances at Tynecastle Park.
David Chisholm defended his father after he led the Hearts crowd in live renditions of "The Hearts Song" ahead of recent crucial home victories.
Chisholm senior, who famously lent his vocals to the 1986 version of the club's anthem, took to the pitch to sing before the home wins over Aberdeen, Motherwell, and, most recently, Monday night’s live televised clash with Rangers.
He will perform again ahead of Wednesday’s final home fixture against Falkirk at Tynecastle, preparing to fire up a 19,000-strong crowd as Hearts fight to clinch their first league title in 66 years.
Colin Chisholm’s pre-match singalongs have garnered much positive feedback - not least of all from Hearts boss Derek McInnes, who has been glowing in his praise for the former Bilbo Baggins singer for helping spur his side on to a string of vital victories this season.
However, the energetic pitch-side performances drew ridicule from a minority of football fans and pundits outside of Gorgie.
Football pundit and former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew mocked the singer following the Rangers match. However, he clearly hadn’t done his homework on who Colin was, comparing his appearance to TV presenters Jimmy Tarbuck and Noel Edmonds.
Speaking on his YouTube podcast The Breakdown, Mulgrew said: "Who was that guy singing? I thought it was Jimmy Tarbuck. Is it Jimmy Tarbuck or Noel Edmonds? I thought it was Noel Edmonds, who was he? What was that?
"Nobody could believe that guy was on the pitch, he sapped every bit of their energy. Who was that? Do you think they got rid of him at half time? They dragged him in for the half time team talk 'explain yourself'."
The mockery continued on X, formerly Twitter, when an Aston Villa fan account, @avfcbreaking, shared footage of the performance with the caption: "No matter how bad this week has been... It could be worse. We could have this at Villa Park."
The social media post prompted a swift response from Chisholm's son, David, who thanked Scottish football fans for rallying around his father and defending the performance.
Writing under the handle @DavidChisbits, he replied: "There is nothing like an English tourist league fan trying to slag anything about Scottish football to bring the entire country together.
"So hard not to bite to any of this s***e, so thanks everyone for doing it for me!"
Scores of people leapt in to defend Colin Chisholm’s Tynecastle performance, including a number of notable names from the media world.
In a reply to David Chisholm, BBC broadcaster Nicky Campbell said: “I thought it was just amazing. Brilliant. Pass on my congratulations to Colin.”
Sky Sports’ Ian Crocker, who provided lead commentary for Monday’s match, said: “Been a lot of reaction to this. Thought it was great and let Colin and fans take it. As at other grounds. Do my best work when I shut up.”
Scott Wilson, the former stadium announcer at Tynecastle Park, said: “That was the best atmosphere in many years Dave, and your old boy was at the heart of it.”
Keith Downie, North East reporter for Sky Sports, added: “[Colin] was amazing. I’ve had multiple people down here south of the border saying how good it was, and they can’t get the song out their head all week.”