Wham!, Mariah Carey and The Pogues lead flood of Christmas songs in UK top 40
By Yasmin RufoBBC News
Sony MusicWham!'s Last Christmas has had four spells at number one, but never in Christmas week itselfChristmas has come early in the UK charts as almost three quarters of songs in the top 40 are festive tunes.
Wham!'s Last Christmas has topped the singles chart for the fourth time, followed by Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You in second place.
A week after the death of The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, Fairytale of New York has risen to number four.
It still has time to reach the top spot for the first time, with two weeks until Christmas number one is revealed.
Released in 1987 and featuring Kirsty MacColl, the track originally peaked at number two, being narrowly beaten to festive first place by the Pet Shop Boys' Always On My Mind.
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In total, there are eight festive songs in this week's top 10, including Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree at number six, and Ed Sheeran and Elton John's hit Merry Christmas at number seven.
Speaking to the Official Charts Company, Andrew Ridgeley, one half of Wham!, said it felt like "Christmas has indeed come early" and he was "delighted that Last Christmas has once again reached the zenith of the Official Singles Chart".
George Michael and Ridgeley's 1984 festive song broke a record in 2021 for the longest time taken to reach number one.
It reached the top spot for a second time in 2022, and for a third at the very beginning of 2023.
It has never been number one in Christmas week itself, however. But that could change this year after YouTubers and charity fundraisers LadBaby - who have had the Christmas number one for five years in a row - decided not to enter the 2023 race.
Getty ImagesMariah Carey made it to number two this weekThe 28 festive songs in the top 40 include Ariana Grande's Santa Tell Me at 11, Michael Bublé's Holly Jolly Christmas at 21 and Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody at number 39 on the 50th anniversary of its release.
Among the non-seasonal singles still left in the chart, Jack Harlow's Lovin On Me has dropped to third place after three weeks at number one.
Getty ImagesSouth Korean boy band Ateez were pipped to the number one album by Peter GabrielMerriment is yet to hit the album charts in full force, as only one of the top five albums - Michael Buble's Christmas - is a festive one.
Former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel has claimed his third solo number one with his new album i/o, his first collection of new material in 21 years.
At number two, K-pop group Ateez have claimed a career best with The World EP - Fin, the final record of the band's The World trilogy.
Cher is bringing some seasonal cheer with her collection Christmas breaking into the top 10 at number eight.
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