The UK's most anticipated music chart result of the year is just hours away, with the Christmas Number One for 2025 set to be revealed at 4pm today live on BBC Radio 1. The festive crown, claimed for the past two years by Wham!'s timeless classic 'Last Christmas', is now the subject of one of the tightest races in recent memory, featuring pop icons, a TV star, and a poignant charity release.
Who Could Win the Festive Chart Crown?
Leading the pack of contenders is global pop sensation Kylie Minogue. Her new Christmas single, 'XMAS', accompanied by a viral, YMCA-inspired dance routine, has given her a formidable chance at securing the top spot. Remarkably, despite her long-standing status as a pop royalty and her classic 'Santa Baby', this would be Kylie's first ever Christmas Number One in the UK.
She faces stiff competition, however. Loose Women panellist Denise Welch is also in strong contention with her festive track 'Slayyy Bells'. Furthermore, the charity single 'Lullaby' from Together For Palestine has been highlighted by the Official Charts Company as a potential winner. And, of course, the reigning champions cannot be discounted: Wham! could achieve a historic third consecutive Christmas Number One with 'Last Christmas', a feat that would further cement the song's legendary status.
Non-Festive Hits Disrupting the Race
While the season is all about festive tunes, several non-Christmas songs are also performing strongly and could disrupt the traditional race. Raye's viral sensation 'Where Is My Husband!' has held a position in the top three for an impressive six weeks. Meanwhile, Olivia Dean has both 'So Easy' and 'Man I Need' currently sitting in the Top 10. Even Taylor Swift remains in the mix, with 'The Fate Of Ophelia' and 'Opalite' continuing to chart well.
The Final Countdown to the Announcement
The official chart race for the Christmas Number One began on 12 December. All sales and streams from that date up until 11:59pm on 18 December have been counted towards the final Top 40, which will be unveiled this afternoon. The culmination of this week-long data collection period ends with the live announcement on BBC Radio 1, where the nation will discover which song has captured the public's heart this Christmas.
With such a diverse and strong field, from Kylie's bid for a historic first win to Wham!'s attempt at a chart triple, the 2025 Christmas Number One announcement is poised to be a truly memorable moment in UK music history.
