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Wednesday, 30th November 2005

Christmas number one: The runners and riders

STRONG HOPES: G4

FROM Crazy Frog to Coldplay, The Choirboys to Tony Christie - the battle for this year’s coveted festive top spot is set to be the hottest in years.

Here is our breakdown on the main contenders:

Coldplay - Talk (released on December 19): The third single to be lifted from the band’s third LP, X & Y, features a Kraftwerk sample that frontman Chris Martin personally wrote to the band for permission to use.
Verdict: No chance. Last single Fix You only made number four and despite an accompanying UK tour this should fare less well.

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The Choirboys - Tears In Heaven (released on December 19): If this doesn’t pull on the festive heart strings than nothing will. Co-managed by Mr Snowman himself, Aled Jones - CJ Porter-Thaw, Patrick Aspbury and Ben Inman have put their own angelic slant on the Eric Clapton’s classic.
Verdict: Strong contender if the success of Il Divo and G4 are anything to go buy, plus the cute kids factor is always a winner.

Tony Christie - Merry Christmas Everybody (released on December 5): Well someone had to re-work the Slade classic didn’t they? But without Peter Kay’s Midas touch can he go the distance once more?
Verdict: Despite a sold out UK tour the fact that Avenues and Alleyways charted so badly on re-release suggests he’s still a strong outsider at best.

Nizlopi - JCB Song (released on December 12):Signed by Glossop-born publisher Joe Taylor after catching them perform at the In The City convention, bookmakers have been slashing the odds on this track hitting top spot for days now. Based around singer Luke Concannon’s experience of being bullied, JCB Song should have extra resonance too.
Verdict: Strong contender. Should have the heavyweights looking over their shoulders.

X Factor - That's My Goal (released on December 21): Set to be rush released on the Wednesday before Christmas, the singer of this contender won’t be known until the weekend before when this year’s winner is announced. Manchester’s Shayne Ward is the hot favourite though.
Verdict: Set to steal the crown. From Popstars: The Rivals to Pop Idol and X Factor, the winner’s single has always been, to use industry speak, an enormous unit shifter and this should be no different, sadly.

G4 featuring Robin Gibbs - When A Child Is Born (released on December 19): Taken from their latest LP, G4 and Friends, the X Factor runners-up continue to be the success story of last year’s show. Bee Gee Robin Gibbs joins them on this cover of the Johnny Mathis classic.
Verdict: Good prospect. The canny choice of combining a respected artist with a festive song, which actually refers to the real meaning of Christmas, should stand them in good stead.

Crazy Frog - Jingle Bells/U Can’t Touch This (released on December 12): One of the runaway successes of the year thanks to the advent of polyphonic ringtones. The Frog will be hoping to hop to the top once more.
Verdict: Well he’s already kept the mighty Coldplay off the top spot and with a lengthy history of novelty records leaving credible artists crying into their mulled wine, anything’s possible.

Westlife with Diana Ross - When You Tell Me That You Love Me (released on December 12): Much to a lot of people’s chagrin there seems no stemming the tide of success of Louis Walsh’s boys. This time they are joined by the diva’s diva.
Verdict: By cynically appealing to three markets (homosexuals, schoolgirls and thirtysomethings) this will undoubtedly sell by the bucketload. The early release may hamper its durability though.

Robbie Williams - Advertising Space (released on December 12): Said to be the most anthemic track on his new LP, Intensive Care, Robbie will be hoping he has another Angels on his hands.
Verdict: Should still be in the top five come Christmas, but expect the competition to nudge him out.

The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York: Released for the third time following Kirsty's tragic death with proceeds split between a charity selected by The Pogues' record company and the Justice For Kirsty Campaign, it has never been Christmas number one.
Verdict: Surely the rightful winner, but sadly probably will just fall short.

The bookies' verdict: The X Factor winner's version of That's My Goal with William Hill odds of 2/7, and Nizlopi's The JCB Song, with odds of 5/2, are favourites - the other 28 contenders include Westlife and Diana Ross, and Girls Aloud to novelty records like Crazy Frog.

Overall verdict: Number one should mark the spot for this year’s X Factor winner.

Who do you think will be Christmas number one? Let us know your thoughts.