CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE RACE HEATS UP AS KYLIE MINOGUE EMERGES AS CLEAR FAVOURITE

Kylie Minogue looks set to claim one of the most coveted prizes in British pop music, as midweek chart figures reveal she is firmly on course to land the Christmas Number One. The Australian pop superstar is currently thrashing long-time festive favourites Wham! in the race for the top spot, with her brand-new seasonal single XMAS opening up a commanding lead.

According to midweek sales and streaming data, Kylie is ahead of Wham!’s evergreen hit Last Christmas by a staggering 75 per cent, putting her in a strong position to be crowned Christmas Number One when the final chart is revealed on Friday. If the figures hold, it will prevent the late George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley from achieving an unprecedented third consecutive festive chart-topper.

Wham!’s Last Christmas, originally released in 1984, has become a modern Christmas chart phenomenon. The track reached number one for the first time in 2022 and repeated the feat again last year, finally achieving the festive crown it famously missed out on in the 80s. A third straight win would have cemented its status as the definitive Christmas song of the modern era, but Kylie now appears poised to bring that run to an end.

For Kylie Minogue, a Christmas Number One would be another glittering achievement in a career that has already spanned more than three decades. From her Stock Aitken Waterman beginnings in the late 1980s to her reinvention as a global pop icon, Kylie has enjoyed countless chart successes, but the festive top spot has so far eluded her. XMAS could now change that, delivering a career milestone that many artists dream of but few ever achieve.

Kylie Minogue is set to top the charts with her new festive single XMAS. Pictured in the music video for the seasonal track – Credit: Amazon Music

Industry insiders believe Kylie’s strong lead makes her the clear favourite, with a combination of downloads, streaming momentum and radio support all working in her favour. The song’s upbeat festive production and unmistakable Kylie charm have struck a chord with listeners, particularly those eager for something new among the usual Christmas classics.

Not far behind Wham! in the festive chart race is Together for Palestine with their collaborative track Lullaby. The song has brought together more than 15 UK and Palestinian artists, offering a powerful message of hope and solidarity during the Christmas season. Its strong chart performance has been praised across the industry, with many welcoming its presence among the more traditional festive contenders.

Meanwhile, perennial Christmas favourite Mariah Carey sits just outside the top three. Her 1994 classic All I Want For Christmas Is You is currently at number four, continuing its annual return to the upper reaches of the chart. Despite never originally reaching number one upon its release, the song has become one of the most successful Christmas singles of all time and remains a festive staple across generations.

Rounding out the top five is The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York. Released in 1987, the much-loved track continues to resonate with audiences year after year, maintaining its place as one of the UK’s most cherished and emotionally charged Christmas songs.

The Christmas Number One race remains one of the most talked-about moments in the UK music calendar, often blending nostalgia with contemporary releases. This year’s battle perfectly reflects that mix, with Kylie Minogue representing modern pop royalty, Wham! and Mariah Carey carrying festive tradition, and Together for Palestine adding a meaningful, socially conscious voice to the countdown.

As the final days tick down, all eyes will be on Friday’s chart announcement to see whether Kylie Minogue can convert her midweek dominance into a festive victory. If she does, it will mark not just a personal triumph, but a notable moment in Christmas chart history, proving that even in a season dominated by classics, a new song can still rise to the very top.