A pop superstar on the ascent, could Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae’s latest hit exes boast the longevity to claim Christmas Number 1? Her current hit, greedy, has proved to be a long-player in the Top 10, staying put for nine weeks and peaking at Number 3. Andrea Bocelli – Festa

Self-appointed Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey saw All I Want for Christmas is You reach Number 1 for the first time in 2020 - breaking Official Chart records 26 years after its release. However, the classic has never actually achieved Christmas Number 1 status; having just missed out to East 17's Stay Another Day.

Christmas Fun Trumps

Jorja Smith’s sublime cover of East 17’s 1994 Christmas Number 1 Stay Another Day has already received a lot of love online. Could it repeat the original’s success in 2023? Anne-Marie – Christmas Without You

Speaking about the song, Sam says: “Imagine blasting through the sky on a runaway sleigh with a skinful of mulled wine next to the big red guy. That’s my Christmas song!” Jorja Smith – Stay Another Day The Official Christmas Number 1 is a British institution, having been secured by major musical icons including The Beatles (with four to their name), Spice Girls (three times on the trot) and... Mr. Blobby and Bob the Builder? That’s the magic of Christmas, after all! Nigerian Afro-fusion singer-songwriter Bnxn, born Daniel Etiese Benson, brings a hilarious childhood tale to his version of Joy to the World. He tells Apple Music: “My choirmaster would make a funny face whenever he’s singing, ‘And heaven and nature sings.’ It’s like he tried to make a baritone voice and he makes this funny face and sometimes it distracts the whole band. That’s a memory I don’t think I could ever forget, because it’s a very happy one.” Follow the Official Christmas Number 1 race: Nottingham-formed post-punk duo Sleaford Mods, comprising Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, release a cover of Pet Shop Boys’ 1985 Number 1 single West End Girls in aid of Shelter. The single will also be released on 12” vinyl on December 15, with all profits from sales of the single donated to Shelter. With hundreds of hot topics to chose from like James Bond, Football and Peaky Blinders, there is a game for everyone of all ages including kids, families and adults.

Sports Top Trumps

Yes, it is that time of year again! You can always tell when we are in the final run in to Christmas – festive lights switching on in high streets across the country, chocolate tubs appearing in all of our supermarkets, the arrival of Xmas channels appearing on our TVs… and, of course, the starting pistol firing on the Christmas Number 1 Race. Got a special interest in all creatures great and small? From Dinosaur Top Trumps for prehistoric fans, or the Deadliest Spider Top Trumps for those with a love for everything creepy-crawly, there's something for everyone! Make learning fun with the Awesome Animals Top Trumps that can help little ones learn about all the cool animals that we share our world with. Tune in to The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1 on Friday December 22 from 4pm to hear the Christmas Top 40 countdown and the exclusive reveal of the Official Christmas Number 1 2023. This cosy team-up from Ella Henderson and Cian Ducrot sees the pair reflect on a year that’s proven a ‘hell of a ride,’ while reminding us to appreciate those closest to us over the festive season. Lovely stuff. Tate McRae – exes

Join Buddy the Elf™ in the magical land of New York City, and relive his adventures as he explores new places, finds his father, and saves Christmas with Santa. Celebrating the classic holiday comedy, this brand new edition of Top Trumps Match: The Crazy Cube Game. Get five of the same cube in a row to win! The game contains twenty-five cubes featuring fifteen icons and images from the classic holiday movie, including Christmas candy, decorations, animals, the cheerful Jovie, and Buddy himself! The game comes complete in a handy carry case which makes tidying up easy. Take the game wherever you go — you might end up playing a round in Santa’s sleigh! Strap on those elf shoes and spread some Christmas cheer with this beautiful matching game. Just don’t forget to sing loud for all to hear! With the group eager to remain anonymous, we're assured they’re not the Top 5-gatecrashing The K**ts under a pseudonym. Nope. Definitely not... New releases and possible climbers The Beatles – Now And Then Whatever you're into, there's a Top Trumps for you! Let's explore the range to find your niche… Sports Top Trumps George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s festive favourite has settled at Number 2 on a few Official Christmas Singles Charts, including last year’s – surely it’s only a matter of time before it goes all the way? The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York

Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective put their unique take on the ‘really wavy’ Christmas carol with this exclusive Spotify release. Discussing their choice of cover, the group’s Femi explains: "Christmas music is all about carols. The simplicity of them, but also the beauty in the melodies. I guess also growing up in church, around the Christmas period it’s the carols I would hear. For us, this tune is a really wavy carol, such a beautiful melody. So much to interpret and make your own." Apple Music’s Carols Covered Ella Henderson – Stay Another Day The full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm. With The Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan having been hospitalised earlier this year, public support around the group’s classic Kirsty MacColl collaboration Fairytale of New York is particularly high. The single peaked at Number 2 in 1987, just missing out to Pet Shop Boys’ Christmas Number 1 Always on My Mind and has been a reliable seasonal chart mainstay ever since. Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You In the meantime, keep up to date right here with all the very latest, exclusive Official Christmas Number 1 news. So, who could be in the running for this year's race? No, not the return of the cast of Glee that everyone is crying out for. Raising awareness for War Child and keeping a spotlight on the ongoing war in Ukraine, I Love Christmastime features the Kyiv-based Shchedryk Children’s Choir. The Gleeman comments: “If I Love Christmastime with the participation of the Ukrainian children and the support of War Child can help raise awareness and the support for children impacted by war, can connect with people, can unite people, can provide some comfort and joy or can encourage anyone to sing along so they do not feel so alone, this Christmastime will definitely become one of the magical ones.” Sooty – I’m in the Mood for Christmas

Already in “modern Christmas classic” territory, Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s Merry Christmas bowed out at Number 5 on last year’s Official Christmas Singles Chart. It nearly went all the way in 2021 – peaking at Number 2 the week before Christmas Number 1, before being replaced by LadBaby’s Sausage Rolls For Everyone, a comic twist on Merry Christmas which also featured Ed and Elton. This year, though, Ed and Elton could keep all the glory for themselves. Elton John – Step Into Christmas Expand your superhero knowledge with the Marvel Cinematic Universe Top Trumps, full of official stats and insider knowledge. Or go classic with the Disney Top Trumps with all your favourite characters across the ages – perfect for the whole family. Animal Trump Cards