Christmas Number 1 Betting Odds

Christmas Number One Long Shots

Some of the world's biggest pop stars are in contention for the UK's Christmas Number One in 2024.

Ed Sheeran (25/1) could secure the title for a third time after topping the charts with Perfect in 2017 and appearing on the LadBaby charity single Sausage Rolls for Everyone alongside Elton John in 2021. His new festive track Under The Tree is expected to draw significant streams from his massive fanbase.

Taylor Swift, also at 25/1, is chasing her first UK Christmas Number One. Sabrina Carpenter (33/1), who has enjoyed major success in 2024 with hits like Espresso and Taste, could end the year on a high note by taking the festive top spot.

Rock fans might back Ricky Warwick’s Christmas single All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas! Featuring Billy Duffy of The Cult and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, the track is currently priced at 25/1.

Perrie (25/1) from Little Mix is in the running with her solo release Christmas Magic. Her former band narrowly missed a Christmas Number One in 2011 when their chart-topping cover of Damien Rice’s Cannonball was overtaken by Military Wives and Gareth Malone’s Wherever You Are.

Cliff Richard (40/1) could return to the spotlight, having already claimed four Christmas Number Ones in his career—two as a solo artist and one each with Band Aid II and The Shadows.

Oasis, who announced their comeback this year with tickets selling out instantly, are priced at 40/1 by some bookmakers and as low as 10/1 by others.

Meanwhile, most bookmakers have yet to list odds for Gigi Perez’s recent chart-topper Sailor Song.

Previous UK Christmas Number One Winners

What insights can we gain from reviewing past UK Christmas Number One winners?

In recent years, social media influencers, television talent show winners, and occasional protest tracks like Rage Against the Machine’s surprise victory have claimed the title.

Betting on Reality TV Shows, including predicting the next Christmas Number One, has become increasingly popular as fans look to get involved in the action.

LadBaby, the duo of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, dominated for five consecutive years with their food-themed charity singles supporting the Trussell Trust, featuring hits like I Love Sausage Rolls and Food Aid.

This streak ended in 2023 when Wham! claimed the top spot with their classic Last Christmas. The festive favourite is once again in the running this year. George Michael, who famously held both first and second place in 1984 with Band Aid and Wham!, might achieve a similar feat this time.

It has now been a decade since a TV talent show contestant last achieved Christmas Number One, with Ben Haenow's Something I Need marking the end of an era dominated by such winners.

During that period, other TV talent stars like Girls Aloud (Sound of the Underground), Shayne Ward (That's My Goal), Leona Lewis (A Moment Like This), Leon Jackson (When You Believe), and Alexandra Burke (Hallelujah) all took the festive crown.

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody remains the only song to top the UK Christmas chart twice, achieving the honour in both 1975 and 1991.

If Last Christmas by Wham! retains its crown, it would match Queen's record and further cement George Michael's legacy in festive chart history.