After WHAM! finally claimed the UK’s most coveted chart-topper after 39 years last year with Last Christmas, this year’s race is wide open and more unpredictable than ever.
Reigning champ Andrew Ridgeley’s even made a plea for musicians across the nation to ‘throw their hat in the ring’ this year and, if an ode to an agricultural machinery manufacturer could prove viable competition in 2005 (Nizlopi’s JCB, remember that one?) why should 2024 be any different?
Kicking off on Friday 13 December 2024, the winner of this year’s Official Christmas Number 1 title will be announced on Friday 20 December, live on BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart with the full Official Christmas Singles Chart Top 100 published on OfficialCharts.com.
In the meantime, keep up to date right here with all the very latest, exclusive Official Christmas Number 1 news.
Who’s in the running for this year’s race?
For as long as most of us can remember, The Official Christmas Number 1 has been a national institution, secured by everyone from the Spice Girls to St. Winifred’s School Choir, The Beatles to Bob the Builder.
Truly a race that’s nothing if not inclusive – and 2024 looks no different – with contenders ranging from global pop superstars, plucky charity singles, fresh and festive streaming exclusives, and a gaggle of Christmas classics celebrating some big birthdays this year.
On clinching last year’s festive crown and achieving an accolade he yearned for alongside the late George Michael, WHAM’s Andrew Ridgeley told Official Charts:
“Last Christmas has finally ascended to the much-cherished and sought-after Official Christmas Number 1, which was always the main goal.
“George would be beside himself that, after all these years, we’ve finally obtained Christmas Number 1. George said that he wrote Last Christmas with the intention of writing a Christmas Number 1 – it’s mission accomplished!”
Looking ahead to 2024’s festive chart battle, Chief Executive of Official Charts, Martin Talbot, comments:
“That time of year is upon us again – when the lights go up, the Christmas ads start appearing and we start preparing our Christmas present lists (to give and receive!) It’s also time to fire the starting pistol on the Christmas Number 1 race.
“Last year, we saw an all-time Christmas favourite finally reach the festive summit, in the form of WHAM!’s Last Christmas, and this year we have a range of old and new favourites preparing to enter the race. With just four weeks to go until the big reveal, the field looks as wide open as ever!”
Official Christmas Number 1 2024 contenders
Here come the girls?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have noticed that 2024’s been the year the main pop girl dominated the Official Charts. From Charli xcx’s ‘BRAT summer’ to Sabrina Carpenter’s record-breaking run, 31 of 46 weeks so far this year have seen a woman occupying the Number 1 spot.
It’s been more than a decade since the last one, when The X Factor winner Sam Bailey bagged it with 2013’s Skyscraper, but could 2024 be the year we see a female solo artist bring home the Christmas Number 1? Let’s take a look at a few who could be in with a shot…
Sabrina Carpenter – Claiming a record-breaking 21 weeks at Number 1 this year across three singles (Espresso, Please Please Please and Taste), Sabrina has had a year. With Netflix special A Nonsense Christmas, 2023 festive EP fruitcake receiving a multi-format reissue and melancholic tune is it new years yet? getting the focus track treatment, could Sabrina end the year on top?
Gracie Abrams – Holder of current reigning chart-topper That’s So True, and with a Number 1 album under her belt this year, Gracie Abrams’ star is certainly on the ascent.
Chappell Roan – Is pop’s newest queen HOT TO GO! all the way to Christmas Number 1? The song’s been on the climb for six months solid and now entered the Top 5. It’s sure to be a go-to dance floor filler at Christmas parties, can Chappell Roan round off an immaculate breakthrough year with a festive chart-topper?
New Releases and Possible Climbers
KSI ft. Trippie Redd – Thick Of It (out now)
KSI took to the streets of London on a (bloody massive) open-top bus with Sidemen in 2022, promoting their #XmasNo1 bid Christmas Drillings (landing in a respectable third place) and now he could be in with a shot once again; this time with Trippie Redd.
Thick Of It’s already shown staying power in the Top 10; and there are no signs of it slowing down. Having already cornered the food and drinks market, bagged a role as Britain’s Got Talent judge and sold out a charity footie match, could a Christmas Number 1 be the latest box ticked?
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT. (out now)
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’s ode to a popular Korean drinking game recently saw BLACKPINK star ROSÉ become the highest-charting K-pop solo artist in UK chart history. Could APT. finally go all the way to Number 1 this Christmas? And, more importantly, can said drinking game be played with mulled wine? Asking for a friend.
Sam Fender – People Watching (out now)
The North Shields native is back with People Watching; the title track of his upcoming third studio album. Already eyeing a Top 5 debut, can Sam fend (ahem) off the competition?
Tate McRae – 2 hands (out now)
Did somebody say ‘Tate McSleigh’? On 2023’s Christmas chart, Tate’s greedy remained one of the few non-festive tunes to hold its ground. This year, the Canadian pop export serves up brand-new tune 2 hands; already set for a Top 10 debut this week. Keep a close eye on this one.
Jack Harlow – Hello Miss Johnson (out now)
Also inescapable throughout 2023’s Christmas Number 1 race was Jack Harlow, whose Lovin On Me stayed strong in the Top 10 despite all the seasonal shenanigans. He’ll be hoping latest single Hello Miss Johnson’s in with a shot at the summit.
Teddy Swims – The Door (out now)
One of 2024’s true breakout stars, Teddy Swims’ The Door is a hit with longevity, having first entered the chart back in April, might The Door see out 2024 with a Christmas Number 1 trophy?
Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine (out now)
Some 15 years after Rage Against The Machine brought some grunge to proceedings with Killing In The Name, with their new album heading for the top of the Official Albums Chart this week, Linkin Park’s Top 5 comeback track The Emptiness Machine presents itself as rock’s most promising #XmasNo1 candidate in a while.
Cynthia Erivo ft. Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity (out now)
Undeniably the cinematic event of the season, we suspect Wicked will inspire many a family karaoke session this Christmas. Your grandma shrieking Ariana’s whistle notes after a sherry? Priceless.
Richard Ashcroft – Sonnet (out now)
The soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad, The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft breathes new life into the band’s 1998 hit.
Charity Singles?
The Celebs – All You Need Is Love (out November 29)
What do you get if you chuck Frank Bruno, The Chase’s Anne Hegarty and a load of Love Islanders in the same booth where Michael Jackson recorded his final album? A brilliantly-bonkers cover of The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, that’s what.
This year, The Celebs are raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Anne couldn’t be happier to be in the race, telling Official Charts “A Christmas Number 1 would be brilliant!”
Reverend And The Makers – Late Night Phonecall (out now)
Noughties indie heroes Reverend and the Makers drop a doo-wop-tinged festive love song, in aid of Samaritans.
Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, says: “Our winter campaign this year is all about Breaking the Silence and I’ve no doubt Late Night Phone Call will help people do just that, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that it makes it all the way to Christmas Number 1.”
Rock Choir – Hallelujah / What Christmas Means To Me (out December 6)
This year, Santa delivers not one but two charity singles from Rock Choir. Hallelujah features Rock Choir creator Caroline Redman Lusher on lead vocals, while What Christmas Means To Me boasts a casual 6000 voices from across the UK. Both releases raise money for Cash for Kids.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue – Fire Safety Dance (out December 13)
“We’re throwing our hat into the ring for the Christmas Number 1 this year to cap our 50th anniversary,” say South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Fire Safety Dance, a loose parody of Men Without Hats’ The Safety Dance, will raise funds for Firefighter’s Charity; supporting the mental health of those in the service.
Sam Clegg – Send Me A Sign (out now)
Sam Clegg’s ‘John Lewis-inspired’ single Send Me A Sign, released in November and benefitting Re-engage and Friends of the Elderly, landed straight in at Number 1 on the Official Singles Sales Chart and Singles Downloads Chart. The song has already captured the attention of over 1.8 million people with its music video, Send Me A Sign certainly boasts some early momentum.
Next To No Time – Christmas in the Cotswolds (out now)
Armed with a dream to be the first song to chart with ‘Cotswolds’ in its title (niche, but respected), writer and producer Steve Banyon, supported by the Cotswolds tourism board, would love to see his region claim the Christmas Number 1.
Primal Live – Always Home (At Christmas) (out now)
This groundbreaking 18-artist music project, born in Liverpool, raises awareness of homelessness; all in aid of the city’s Whitechapel Centre.
Christmas Classics
This year sees some of the UK’s most-loved seasonal staples mark milestone anniversaries, and certain artists have scores to settle…
East 17 vs. Mariah Carey rematch: 30 years on
In 1994, Walthamstow lads East 17 pipped the now-undisputed Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, to Christmas Number 1. Now, it’s time for a rematch. Ding ding!
Marking its 30th anniversary, All I Want For Christmas is You has still never claimed the Christmas Number 1 spot; It did top the Official Singles Chart for the first time in 2020, so a 2024 push with brand-new physical formats might just seal the deal.
East 17 are hoping lightning will strike twice, reissuing Stay Another Day on 7-inch ‘ice clear’ vinyl to raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins – the UK’s biggest music therapy charity. Only one other artist in history has taken the same song to Christmas Number 1 twice – Queen with Bohemian Rhapsody – but with East 17’s vinyl dropping on 13 December (day 1 of the Christmas Number 1 race), the Walthamstow massive are fighting tough to become the second.
On challenging Mariah for the trophy once again, East 17’s Tony Mortimer tells Official Charts:
“All she wanted for Christmas she didn’t get, did she? No, it was funny! She’s an absolute legend, and we admire her so much. To be alongside such names, four little lads from Walthamstow, it’s surreal.
“She’s going to want to even it up this time – I think she’s going to pull out all the stops! We’ll see what happens, but as long as Nordoff and Robbins are riding on the back of it, I’d love another chart battle. This is to get people talking about music therapy.”
Band Aid vs. WHAM! 2.0
1984 saw the first-ever Band Aid supergroup secure the Official Number 1 single over sprightly beat combo WHAM! In 2024, history somewhat repeats itself, with both tracks going head-to-head on their 40th anniversaries.
WHAM!’s Last Christmas celebrates its 40th with brand-new vinyl and CD reissues, plus an hour-long film WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, airing on BBC Two later this year. They’re pulling out all the stops for his one…
But it ain’t over till the supergroup sings. This year’s Band Aid 40 offering Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2024 Ultimate Mix blends vocalists spanning three versions of the iconic track; 1984’s original, 2004’s Band Aid 20 iteration and 2014’s Band Aid 30 rendition.
The song’s already claimed the Christmas Number 1 trophy three times. Plus a new documentary film – The Making of Do They Know It’s Christmas? – will also air on BBC Four later this month.
New Christmas Songs
Ed Sheeran – Under The Tree (out December 6)
With several Christmas chart-toppers under his belt already – 2017’s Perfect and 2021’s LadBaby and Elton John collab Sausage Rolls For Everyone, Ed’s going for it again. Under The Tree was written to soundtrack a ‘heartbreaking scene’ in Richard Curtis’s 2024 Netflix film That Christmas, released December 6.
V x Bing Crosby – White Christmas (out December 6)
Our first-ever K-pop Christmas Number 1? BTS idol V joins his ‘all-time favourite jazz artist’ Bing Crosby for an ‘era-bridging’ take on the yuletide favourite. Bing’s version peaked at Number 5 back in 1977, can the BTS Army take White Christmas to new heights?
Perrie – Christmas Magic (out now)
After scoring her first-ever post-Little Mix solo Top 10 earlier this year, Perrie’s here to sprinkle some Christmas Magic onto proceedings. If you haven’t seen the music video yet, get ready for some heart-melting moments with son Axel and fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Kelly Clarkson – You For Christmas (out now)
Rapidly showing herself to be the queen of the modern Christmas tune, Kelly’s Underneath The Tree and Santa, Can’t You Hear Me both reached new chart peaks in 2023. Clearly nailing the art of seasonal songwriting, she’s back with brand-new release You For Christmas.
Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce – Maybe This Christmas (out now)
The King of Christmas has officially defrosted – and he’s back with a brand-new cover of Ron Sexsmith’s Maybe This Christmas, recruiting country star Carly Pearce on what could prove yet another Bublé seasonal staple. Maybe this Christmas he’ll take the trophy?
Jedward – LOVEmas (out December 6)
Christmas 2024 just got JEPIC. Irish juggernaut Jedward are on a mission to share the love this festive season, paying homage to everyone from Oasis to Sabrina Carpenter in the process.
Speaking to Official Charts, Jedward say:
“LOVEmas is inclusive of everyone, because love is universal. We need a fun 2024 Christmas anthem to bring friends and family together, dancing the LOVEmas dance!”
Look, Jedward do already have a Number 2 single to their name with 2010 Vanilla Ice collab Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby), so stranger things have happened…
Seasonal Streaming Exclusives
Tom Grennan – It Can’t Be Christmas (Amazon Music Originals) (out now)
Following the phenomenal success of Sam Ryder’s Amazon Music Original You’re Christmas To Me, which just missed out on the top spot last year, it’s Tom Grennan’s turn to join forces with the streaming giant.
It Can’t Be Christmas is an emotive ‘story of your loved ones being away. Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Tom Grennan says:
“I’ve always wanted to release a Christmas song – my dream is to have a Christmas Number 1! It’s going to be a challenge against WHAM!, Mariah and these dons of Christmas, but I’m ready to put my Christmas jacket on and say ‘right, I’m comin’ for ya!’”
Rachel Chinouriri – Christmas Lights (Apple Music Carols Covered) (out now)
Fresh off the back of her first-ever Top 20 album, London-born singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri reimagines Coldplay’s yuletide tune Christmas Lights for Apple Music’s annual Carols Covered playlist. Could Rachel’s twinkly take on the track match the success of Coldplay’s original, which peaked at Number 13 back in 2010?
Dasha – Driving Home For Christmas (Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection) (out now)
Having secured her breakthrough Top 5 hit with Austin earlier this year, Dasha puts her country twang on melancholic Chris Rea classic Driving Home for Christmas for Spotify. Steel-string guitar and sleigh bells? What more could you want?
