The race for the 2025 Christmas number one single is heating up, with an eclectic mix of contenders including Taylor Swift, Denise Welch, and the stars of the upcoming 'Wicked' sequel. Swift, 35, is a strong contender with her track 'The Fate Of Ophelia' from her 12th studio album 'The Life Of A Showgirl', released in October. The Official Charts Company also notes that her songs 'Opalite' and 'Elizabeth Taylor' could be dark horses.
Denise Welch, 67, enters the fray with 'Slayyy Bells', described as 'the hyperpop Christmas banger of 2025'. The Loose Women star's single features lyrics such as 'we're serving looks, not turkey' and 'it's time to put the slay in sleighbells'. Welch is the mother of Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, with whom Swift was rumoured to have had a relationship, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the chart battle.
Cynthia Erivo, 38, and Ariana Grande, 32, could contend with 'For Good', a track from the soundtrack of 'Wicked: For Good', the sequel to 2024's 'Wicked'. Other notable contenders include McFly's Tom Fletcher with a song for Paddington The Musical, Raye's 'Where Is My Husband!', Labrinth's 'Where Love Lives' (the John Lewis Christmas advert soundtrack), Kylie Minogue's 'Xmas', Sophie Ellis-Bextor's '(Christmas) Time', Pixie Lott's 'First Christmas', Olivia Dean's 'The Christmas Song', The Divine Comedy's 'All The Pretty Lights', and Picture This's 'It's Christmas Time'. Charity singles like 'Lullaby' by Together For Palestine and a cover of Robbie Williams' 'Angels' by Home Care's Got Talent are also in the running.
Last year's winner, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas', could return, alongside festive classics from Mariah Carey, The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl, and Shakin' Stevens. Martin Talbot, chief executive at Official Charts Company, said: 'It’s that time of year again – Christmas is coming and the release schedules are fattening up with every day. So it’s time to watch the contenders gather on the starting line for one of the year’s biggest chart races. This year, there is a wide variety of contenders – including children’s favourites, charity fundraisers, daytime TV icons and Aussie pop queens, among many more. Within three weeks, we’ll know the winner. Until then… On your marks, get set, go!'
The official Christmas number one race for 2025 commences on Friday, December 12, with sales and streams counted until 11:59 pm on Thursday, December 18. The winner will be announced live on BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart at 4pm on Friday, December 19.
