2023’s UK Christmas Number One single won’t be by LadBaby, who decided to take a break from his food-themed seasonal releases, having reached the pinnacle for the past five years.
So let’s have a look at who’s in the running — as well as the odds on whether they will top the charts.
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Which songs could be Christmas Number One?
Creator Universe — I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
Current leaders of the pack Creator Universe leapfrogged The Pogues as the new favourites to reach the coveted Christmas Number One spot.
The TikTok collective, which features more than 30 influencers, has covered Wizard’s iconic hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, with all of the profits going to charity The Trussell Trust.
They are currently 4/5 with SkyBet.
The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl — Fairytale Of New York
The second-favourite is The Pogues with Fairytale Of New York, which has been voted the UK’s favourite Christmas tune of all time despite never being the Christmas Number One.
On the classic Kirsty MacColl duetted with frontman Shane MacGowan, who tragically died on November 30, 2023.
The odds are 6/4 at the moment according to SkyBet.
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Wham! — Last Christmas
In third place as the odds stand is Wham! with Last Christmas.
This is another Christmas staple that has somehow never topped the UK charts on Jesus’ birthday.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s catchy classic is at 5/1 right now with SkyBet.
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Taylor Swift — TBC
Although at the time of writing Taylor Swift has better odds of reaching the peak of the Xmas charts than many artists who have actually released seasonal 2023 tracks, she does not technically have a song in the running yet.
But she could very well re-release an older album on her Taylor’s Version label, which could go viral.
She also might put out one of her From The Vault songs which, considering her unparalleled fanbase, could easily pick up momentum and take the end-of-year top spot.
She is at now 18/1 with SkyBet.
Mariah Carey — All I Want For Christmas Is You
Mariah’s perennial Yuletide yowler All I Want For Christmas Is You is another track predicted to surge to the summit of the charts towards the end of December.
It was first released on the American diva’s fourth studio album Merry Christmas (1994).
SkyBet has it at 20/1 at this time.
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AC/DC — TBC
Australian rock veterans AC/DC are also in with a shout.
They are among the frontrunners because of an online movement to get the band their first UK number one before their 50th anniversary.
Launching the campaign, the Facebook group WE Salute You said: “In 2013 we all came together to celebrate 40 years of AC/DC by giving them their highest ever UK Singles Chart placing… Highway To Hell at No.4…
“Well we’re going to choose another track and see if we can get 3 places higher for their 50th anniversary. Are you in? If so join this group and invite everyone.
“Big Balls to Ladbaby!”
They sit at 25/1 with SkyBet.
Dua Lipa — Houdini
Dua Lipa’s track Houdini was top of the charts at the start of December.
But will it be there come the Big Day?
Lipa stands at 25/1 with SkyBet at the time of writing.
JLS — TBC
In November JB from JLS went viral for wishing fans at Manchester’s AO Arena a Merry Christmas.
And that seems to be enough to have made them candidates to be this year’s Christmas Number One — in spite of the fact they don’t currently have a single out.
Although they are far from favourites at 25/1 with SkyBet, it’s worth noting some of the all-time legends on or around the same odds.
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Sam Ryder — You’re Christmas To Me
Sam Ryder also makes the shortlist of artists in contention, even though he has already said he wants it to be The Pogues at the top come Christmas.
But if his song You’re Christmas To Me, released exclusively on Amazon Music, does beat Fairytale Of New York, he probably won’t be too disappointed.
He’s also at 25/1 with SkyBet.
The Beatles — Now And Then
There are plenty of re-releases in the running for the Crimbo top spot, but The Beatles have a ‘new release’ as a potential contender.
Now And Then, released on November 2, 2023 and dubbed ‘the last Beatles song’, could possibly be the Fab Four’s fifth festive number one.
The band previously achieved this feat four times with I Want To Hold Your Hand, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper/I Feel Fine and Hello, Goodbye.
The greatest band of all time is presently at 25/1 with SkyBet.
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