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Who won it last year?

Taking the top spot last year was none other than social media star Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne – also known as LadBaby and LadBaby Mum.

Not only did the couple land the Christmas number 1, they also made chart history by securing the top spot for a fifth consecutive year – surpassing a record set by The Beatles in the 1960s.

Have Wham! ever got the Christmas number one before 2023?

Last Christmas by Wham! is without a doubt one of the most iconic festive jingles of all time.

So you’ll be surprised to hear it had never been crowned Christmas number one until this year.

It had come close on several occasions but never secured the much-coveted crown until now.

How is the Christmas chart compiled?

The chart is compiled from streams and sales in the week leading up to midnight on Thursday night.

The Wham! and Pogues songs have been reissued on vinyl, while Ryder’s single is available on CD – with physical sales counting for more than streams in the chart formula.

Streams of newer songs also carry greater weight – meaning Ryder and Sheeran/Sir Elton have a better chance of competing with classic festive tunes.

Famous Christmas Number One battles

In 2016, a feud developed between fans of Little Mix and Rangers FC supporters over their Christmas No1 battles.

It followed football fans' social media campaign to get the 1960s hit Glad All Over to the top of the charts in tribute to their player Joe Garner. 

Little Mix fans were not impressed as it "threatened" to derail the girl band’s chance of clinching a festive chart-topper.

On X, formerly Twitter, Rangers fans joked: “Any truth in the rumour that Rangers casuals and Little Mix casuals are organising a rumble??” 

Another shared a photo of football supporters clashing with police and wrote: “Rangers at Little Mix away.”

One irate Little Mix fan tweeted: “I'm sorry but if that joke football song ruins Touch's chance of being #1, I am deleting my account.”

Neither of the songs won – instead the victor was bookies’ favourite Clean Bandit with Rockabye.

Rage Against the Machine ended X Factor’s dominance

In 2009, rebel rockers Rage Against the Machine won the UK’s Christmas Number One.

Fans launched the 1992 track Killing In The Name into the charts in a bid to end X Factor’s dominance.

Simon Cowell branded the campaign “stupid” and “cynical” but it only appeared to spur on fans.

Rage Against The Machine bandmember Tom Morello said winning the festive race would be “a wonderful dose of anarchy”.

Ten films to watch this Christmas

Here is a list of some great films to watch this festive season.

• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Elf
• Home Alone
• A Christmas Carol
• Die Hard
• Batman Returns
• Love Actually
• Polar Express
• The Harry Potter franchise
• Santa Claus

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