Bold claim: Kylie Minogue is out front in the 2025 Official UK Christmas Number 1 race, but the field is packed with fierce contenders ready to challenge her—Tough competition, and the drama is just beginning.
Kylie Minogue currently leads the race with her Amazon Music UK exclusive single XMAS, a position confirmed by Official Charts. Her early advantage rests on a 7,000-unit lead after 48 hours, boosted by the new XMAS formats—7” gold vinyl, 12” zoetrope vinyl, and CD editions released on Friday—and the typical weekend surge in Amazon Music streams. Kylie is also slated to perform XMAS at tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing semi-final, which could further boost her momentum.
Despite Kylie’s sparkling return to the Official Singles Chart Top 10 in 2023 with the viral hit Padam Padam, she hasn’t secured a UK Number 1 single in 22 years. Her last top spot was Slow in 2003. Could she end the drought this year by clinching not just any Number 1, but the coveted Christmas crown?
On the surface, Kylie’s lead looks solid, yet nothing is certain. As more sales and streams roll in across platforms, an upset remains possible deeper into the week.
Sitting in second place is WHAM! with Last Christmas, the track that wrapped up the Christmas Number 1 title in both 2023 and 2024. A third consecutive victory would be historic, potentially making Last Christmas the first single ever to achieve a three-peat.
The top tier also features Together For Palestine’s Lullaby (3), a charity single backed by Leigh-Anne, Bastille’s Dan Smith, Mabel, Neneh Cherry, Nadine Shah, and others. All profits go to Choose Love’s Together For Palestine Fund, supporting Taawon, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and the Palestine Medical Relief Service, with proceeds directed to Gaza’s people.
Sales data indicates the track has shifted just under 10,000 units so far, but streaming numbers will be crucial. If streams don’t keep pace, its position could wobble as the week goes on.
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale of New York is also a key watcher’s pick this week. The perennial Christmas favorite is currently the third best-selling single, helped by a limited-edition zoetrope vinyl variant released on Friday and strong streaming support. After reaching every Top 20 position except No. 1, can it finally break through to the top spot?
With fewer than 10,000 units separating the Top 5, the race remains wide open. It’s important to remember that these figures are preliminary and will evolve as more streaming and sales data arrive throughout the week.
Other likely movers include Elton John’s Step Into Christmas, which could rise notably, Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Tree gaining momentum in the Christmas market, and Shakin’ Stevens’ Merry Christmas Everyone creeping back toward the Top 10 after four decades since its peak.
Further potential climbers include Andy Williams’s It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Dean Martin’s Let It Snow, and Paul McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime, all aiming for the Top 20 or better. Classics from Wizzard, José Feliciano, Sia, and Nat King Cole also remain in the mix as the week unfolds.
Drama could also come from Cher’s DJ Play A Christmas Song, which is projected to jump into the Top 40, and Michael Bublé might land two tracks in the Top 40 with It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and Holly Jolly Christmas.
The outcome now rests with the British public. To influence the chart, fans should buy and stream before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 18. The winner will be announced on Friday, December 19, on BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart with Jack Saunders starting at 3 p.m.
Follow the Official Christmas Number 1 race for updates:
- The race began Friday, December 12, with sales and streams counted until Thursday, December 18 at 11:59 p.m.
- The Official Chart countdown and the Exclusive reveal of the Christmas Number 1 2024 will air on BBC Radio 1 on Friday, December 19 from 3 p.m.
- The full Top 100 Singles Chart and Top 100 Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com around 5:45 p.m.
Join the conversation using #XmasNo1 and sign up for Official Charts updates to catch breaking news and weekly race developments. Follow Official Charts on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky for all the latest details.
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