YOU couldn’t accuse Carl Davis of being a shrinking violet – in his Union Jack tailcoats and flashy red shirts, he is one of the most flamboyant conductors to helm the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

He also seems to have boundless energy – with three RLPO concerts, an album release and a charity extravaganza planned in the city over the next six months.

First up is Christmas with Carl, on December 16, a seasonal treat for those with wide-ranging musical tastes.

As well as “a tiny bit of the Messiah”, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas and Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, the audience will be livened up with a number by Slade.

“It’s my favourite moment,” he says of the Phil’s rendition of the 1973 chart topper, Merry Christmas Everybody.

“Because then the hall becomes a real party. Everybody stands up, slings their kids on their shoulders.

“It has this sense of immediacy – it’s as if the orchestra and audience dissolve into one.”

Also performing will be Lance Ellington, son of the celebrated jazz drummer Ray Ellington and one of the four singers on Strictly Come Dancing.

“You never see him except quickly, but you hear him a lot and he’s absolutely fabulous,” says Davis.

Liverpool Welsh Choral will join the Phil in the second half of the concert.

“They are just smashing. It’s the second year we’ve worked together and when we finished last year I immediately said ‘I want to have you again’,” enthuses the American-born conductor.