The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan could be beaten in the race for the Christmas Number One – as a surprise new entry is tipped for the festive top spot

The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan looks set to be beaten in the battle for the coveted Christmas Number One, as a surprise new act has entered the race.

Following Shane’s death earlier this month, fans hoped that his festive track Fairytale Of New York would finally top the charts, but could now miss out thanks to a new charity entry.

A group of TikTok stars have formed a group called The Creator Universe and have recorded a cover of Wizard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. 

All profits raised will be donated to the Trussell Trust, which works to stop hunger and poverty in the UK.

The track has entered the festive charts race as a surprise entry, just a week before the number one will be announced.

The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan looks set to be beaten in the battle for the coveted Christmas Number One, as a surprise new act has entered the race 

In recent days the song has also become the bookies favourite to reach the top spot, with odds of 4-6, while The Pogues remain in second place with 11-8, according to Coral.

Despite being a musical staple in the festive season, MacGowan’s beloved tune – first released in 1982 – has never topped the Official Singles Chart. It peaked at number two in 1987, pipped to the summit by the Pet Shop Boys’ Always On My Mind.

But since his death was announced, the song has been storming up the charts and could finally be crowned number one.

The Official Charts company – which compiles the Official UK Top 40 – wrote on x/Twitter today: ‘A #XmasNo1 favourite? Festive classic Fairytale Of New York has never quite made it to the chart summit, but fans of The @poguesofficial are hoping 2023 could be the year, as a tribute to the late Shane MacGowan.’

The Pogues’ classic entered the UK Top 20 for the first time this festive season on November 30 following news of the hellraising singer’s death.

The Irish band’s duet with Kirsty MacColl reached number 18 in the Official UK Top 40, compiled by Official Charts, up 35 places from number 53. It had been at number three in the official midweek update.

Fans of the folk outfit – including famous faces like Piers Morgan – are leading calls for the song to become the Christmas number one for the first time ever in memory of MacGowan, who died at the age of 65 last Thursday.

Spotify chart data for December 14 shows Fairytale Of New York is still in the Top 10 most-streamed songs in the UK, but only at number six, with Last Christmas by Wham! currently in the top spot.

Following Shane’s death earlier this month, fans hoped that his festive track Fairytale Of New York would finally top the charts, but could now miss out thanks to a new charity entry 

A group of TikTok stars have formed a group called The Creator Universe and have recorded a cover of Wizard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

The Pogues frontman Shane died aged 65 from pneumonia on November 30 after months of ill health (pictured in 2014)

Official Charts says that it’s normal for The Pogues favourite – along with many other Christmas songs – to re-enter the charts as December approaches, but its boss reckons Fairytale is sizing up to be a ‘genuine contender’ for the crown ahead of the 25th. 

Martin Talbot, CEO of the sales-tracking body, said: ‘The terribly sad news about Shane MacGowan’s death will hit hard all lovers of his music, as well as the fans of Fairytale Of New York, which is consistently voted one of the UK public’s favourite Christmas songs – and which has become a festive staple since the advent of the digital era made it available to download and stream.

‘As usual, it was already heading back into the Official Singles Chart Top 40 this week and, while it is currently too early to give an indication of the scale of the streaming surge, we would very much expect it to rise back into the Top 20 over the coming days, perhaps even higher. 

‘It is a genuine contender for this year’s Christmas Number 1 – a chart position which this classic has never previously reached. What a fitting tribute to Shane that would be.’

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