Songfacts®:

• Tom Walker wrote "For Those Who Can't Be Here" for his mom after losing his maternal grandad to lung cancer in May 2021. "I wanted to write this song for her as I can't imagine how difficult it is to have a parent or a loved one absent at Christmas for the first time," he said. "My Gran always raises a glass every year around the table and we do a cheers in honor of those who can't be here with us. This song is for anyone who does the same."
• Walker wrote the song with the track's producer, frequent Ed Sheeran collaborator Steve Mac.
• Walker performed the song at Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, shown on ITV on Christmas Eve 2021. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, hosted the concert to celebrate and praise people who helped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Duchess played the piano as Walker sang the song in a secret prerecorded segment that surprised viewers, including the singer's mother. "She was in floods of tears watching it on the telly," Walker told the BBC. "It was beautiful."
• Kate Middleton's musical contribution was the first time she'd played the piano publicly.
• Walker is donating proceeds from the track to The Samaritans. The UK charity provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide, often through their telephone helpline.