Let the Christmas chart battle commence!

Leona Lewis' dreams of a second Christmas at the top of the UK singles charts have been dashed, but her mentor Simon Cowell could still be laughing all the way to the bank.Last year's 'X Factor' winner was knocked off the number one spot after seven weeks by Katie Melua's version of 'What A Wonderful World' with the late Eva Cassidy - who died of cancer in 1996 - last week.But bookmakers claim this year's 'X Factor' victor - 18-year-old Scotsman Leon Jackson - is "practically guaranteed" the highly coveted UK Christmas number one spot.A spokesman for record store HMV said: "Leon as the winner has to be the overwhelming favourite to get the Christmas number one.
"You have a very motivated fan base who have been watching 'The X Factor'. Millions of people will have voted.
"It's sure to be steamroller will see off any competition unless the nation chooses to rally around one rival song in particular."Sales of Leon's single - a cover of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's duet 'When You Believe' - are predicted to reach 400,000 by Sunday (23.12.07).

Last December, Leona Lewis' 'A Moment Like This' shifted more than 500,000 copies in just four days to give her the Yule Tide chart topper.

After her Christmas victory, Leona disappeared into the recording studio for most of 2007 to emerge with her highly-polished album, and her hit single 'Bleeding Love'.

And she is far from being the first 'X Factor' star to scoop the UK Christmas number one. In 2005, that year's winner Shayne Ward reached the summit with 'That's My Goal'.

But Leon - who is already caught up in a TV phone row after fans of his rival, Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts, lost by just 1 per cent of the vote with many viewers claiming the phone lines were jammed blocking potential votes for him - has a lot of competition for the top spot this December.

As is customary with Christmas chart releases the young singer will have to battle it out against a mixture of novelty records, rock stars, charity songs and traditional festive tracks.

All profits from Katie Melua's song will go to the British Red Cross.

With everyone feeling extra generous at in December and wanting to give a bit of festive cheer to those in need, there is a good chance this classic love song will continue to fly off the shelves and keep its chart position.

Also currently in the charts are Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', John Lennon's 'Happy Christmas (War Is Over)', Chris Rea's 'Driving Home For Christmas' and The Pogues 'Fairytale in New York'.

Following a decision by Radio 1 bosses to bleep out the word "faggot" from the song, which features the voice of Kirsty MacColl, in a bid to be politically correct, an internet campaign was launched to get the classic track to number one.

A series of groups were set up on the social networking website Facebook, calling on people to download the song to make sure "we get a proper Christmas song to number one for Christmas instead of the stupid 'X Factor' winner".

After receiving a number of complaints over its decision to censor the track, Radio 1 backed down and began playing the unedited version, further fuelling its popularity and chances of making it to number one.It is often the musical underdogs who achieve surprise chart success at Christmas. In 2003, instead of cheerful or novelty records Michael Andrews and Gary Jules' cover of Tears for Fears' 'Mad World' took the title, after it featured on the soundtrack to cult teen film 'Donnie Darko' and movie fans campaigned to make sure it won the top spot.

Other unlikely contenders for the Yule Tide chart topper this year include Shaun The Sheep's 'Life's A Treat', voiced by comedian Vic Reeves, and Malcolm Middleton's 'We're All Going To Die'.

Popular girl group the Sugababes are releasing their new single 'Change' the week before Christmas in a bid to steal first place.

With the phenomenal success of 'The X Factor', if Simon Cowell's latest protégé is to be kept off the top of the charts this year one of those many rival singles has to become the stand-alone competition.

At the moment the only real contenders are Leon and The Pogues - so if you have a favourite, get down to the shops or get downloading to ensure they take the top spot.

The race for the UK Christmas number one is a uniquely British festive tradition, much like the Queen's Speech or arguing with the family over charades. Over the last five decades a huge variety of singles ranging from novelty one-hit wonders to seasonal ballads, festive party tunes to slick pop tracks have claimed the coveted top-spot.

But what is it that makes the British public obsessed with Yuletide hits?

It seems from the beginning of December until New Year's Day record-buyers forget about trends, good songwriting and even taste in many cases and embrace festive feel-good hits insisting, 'It's just a bit of fun'.

Over the years, the charts have been graced with a bevy of seasonal tracks that have woven themselves into the fabric of British society.

So to wet your appetite for the festivities ahead here is a run down of the best-selling Christmas records from the present day to the 60s.

2000s

Last year, 'The X Factor' winner Leona Lewis was Christmas Number One with 'A Moment Like This'. With thousands of copies of the single on pre-order in stores before it had even been released, the 22-year-old's victory was no surprise. Leona followed in the footsteps on the 2005 'X Factor' winner Shayne Ward who beat off competition from heavyweight music stars like Eminem and Coldplay to take the top spot in the Christmas charts with 'That's My Goal'.

In 2004, 'Band Aid 20' won the festive race, becoming the biggest selling single of the year in the process.

Despite mixed reviews, the song - which was released to raise money for famine victims in Sudan, Africa - captured the imagination of the British public and went on to easily surpass the £8 million raised by the original Band Aid record in 1984.

Originally the brainchild of The Sun newspaper and organised and recorded by original Band Aid founders and trustees Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure the record - which was also penned by Bob and Midge - was made to mark 20 years since the first Band Aid went ahead.

Featuring a galaxy of music stars, including Coldplay's Chris Martin, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Bono, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Will Young, Keane and Radiohead singer Thom Yorke, the recording of the song took place in a single day, before it was rushed to be pressed and distributed to radio stations around the country.

In keeping with the tradition of Christmas singles, the quality of the music was secondary to the purpose of the track - Geldof, Martin and Bono all took swipes at critics who heaped criticism upon the song - which was to save lives.

The success of the single ultimately inspired the Live8 charity concerts - featuring many of the artists who appeared on the record - which took place across the globe on July 2 2005, drawing attention to the plight of the population of the Third World.

1990s

In the decade that brought us Brit Pop and the explosion of cutting-edge dance music, the 90s was not without its naff Christmas hits.

The decade spawned a host of instantly recognisable festive hits, including 1990's 'Saviour's Day', released by the king of festive records Cliff Richard, and Whitney Houston's 1992 hit 'I Will Always Love You' - although not a festive song, the single holds the record for the longest-running Christmas number one after it topped the charts in November 1992 and stayed there for 10 weeks until February the next year.

The highlight of the 90s, however, was the all-conquering girl group the Spice Girls, who became the first band since The Beatles to score three consecutive Christmas Number Ones from 1996 to 1998.

The 1998 winner 'Goodbye' was recorded without 'Ginger Spice' Gerry Halliwell, who had quit the band earlier that year.

British glam rockers Queen hit the top spot in 1991 with their re-release of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Released in the wake of Freddie Mercury's tragic death after a long battle with AIDS, the track was in fact re-packaged as one half of a double A-side along with 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives'.

Interestingly, the track going straight to the top charts means Queen are blessed as the only band to have landed the coveted Christmas Number One spot on two separate occasions with the same song. The first time it was a festive hit was in 1975.

1980s.

The second entry in the seasonal countdown for Christmas classic 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' which was number one in 1984.

Unlike 2004's re-working, the original Band Aid was a spontaneous affair and saw organisers Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure assemble a host of top musicians including Duran Duran, Phil Collins, U2 and Paul Weller to record the track in a single day on November 24.

It was released on November 25, and went straight to number one before going on to become the fastest-selling single of all time, hitting the top of the charts in 12 other countries, raising over £8 million in aid for famine victims in Ethiopia. Although easily being the biggest-selling Christmas single of the decade, the 80s was littered with several musical Christmas crackers.

1985 saw Shakin' Stevens claim the top spot with 'Merry Christmas Everyone' and pensioners across the UK felt a warm glow when Sir Cliff was crowned the winner of 1988's race with 'Mistletoe and Wine'.

1970s.

The 70s was the decade the true Christmas record - and not just a big-selling pop song - was born. Ridiculous costumes, songs about the season and the novelty factor reigned in what was a vintage era for fans of merry music.

It also saw one of the most hotly contested races for the top spot in 1973, with two goliaths of Christmas singles battling it out for the prestigious title.

Slade's 'Merry Christmas Everybody' and Wizzard's 'I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday' went head-to-head for the top spot.

Wizzard, fronted by Roy Wood, recorded their single in the summer in a darkened studio, bedecked with tinsel and baubles, to create the appropriate atmosphere. Unlike modern pop singles, the record made its chart debut on December 1, entering at number 19 and slowly building momentum to claim pole-position.

Although the single was hotly tipped to be that year's number one upon its release, it was eventually beaten by Slade's offering. The glam rockers - headed by singer Noddy Holder - had been riding on the crest of a wave after achieving phenomenal success with their unique brand of rock and gatecrashed the charts, going straight in at number one.

The track stayed at the top for the next five weeks beating Wizzard into fourth spot in the process, the highlight of its reign being a memorable performance on BBC music show 'Top of the Pops' which saw the crowd invade the stage to join the band to deliver their raucous Christmas message.

The festive single ultimately became the biggest-selling record of the whole decade in the UK.

1960s.

Unsurprisingly, The Beatles take the plaudits for the biggest hit of the swinging 60s with their 1963 double A-side 'I Want to Hold Your Hand/This Boy'. The track sold an astonishing 1.75 million copies and spent five weeks at number one, carrying on into 1964. It was the Fab Four's third number one single and preceded the explosion of Beatle-mania.

However, not one Christmas number one in the entire decade had anything remotely to do with the season. The Beatles claimed three consecutive number ones but none of them mentioned, Jesus, crackers, stockings or mistletoe. There was one Beatles Christmas song, 'Christmas Time is Here Again', made in 1967, but it was only available for members of their fan club.

Although a groundbreaking decade for music, fans of genuine Christmas hits are better off skipping to the 70s or 80s for their Yule tide tunes.

So there you have in all their glory the best of the best of UK Christmas number ones. Whether you love them or loathe them, you will have heard them before and, in the next few days, you will no doubt be hearing them again.

So enjoy, as Noddy would say: "It's Christmassssssssss!"

Full list of UK Christmas number ones:

(1) 1952 Al Martino 'Here In My Heart'

(2) 1953 Frankie Laine 'Answer Me'

(3) 1954 Winifred Atwell 'Let's Have Another Party'

(4) 1955 Dickie Valentine 'Christmas Alphabet'

(5) 1956 Johnnie Ray 'Just Walkin' In The Rain'

(6) 1957 Harry Belafonte 'Mary's Boy Child'

(7) 1958 Conway Twitty 'It's Only Make Believe'

(8) 1959 Emile Ford and The Checkmates 'What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For'

(9) 1960 Cliff Richard and The Shadows 'I Love You'

(10) 1961 Danny Williams 'Moon River'

(11) 1962 Elvis Presley 'Return To Sender'

(12) 1963 The Beatles 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'

(13) 1964 The Beatles 'I Feel Fine'

(14) 1965 The Beatles 'Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out'

(15) 1966 Tom Jones 'The Green Grass Of Home'

(16) 1967 The Beatles Hello Goodbye

(17) 1968 Scaffold 'Lily The Pink'

(18) 1969 Rolf Harris 'Two Little Boys'

(19) 1970 Dave Edmunds 'I Hear You Knockin'

(20) 1971 Benny Hill 'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)'

(21) 1972 Little Jimmy Osmond 'Long Haired Lover From Liverpoo'l

(22) 1973 Slade 'Merry Xmas Everybody'

(23) 1974 Mud 'Lonely This Christmas'

(24) 1975 Queen 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

(25) 1976 Johnny Mathis 'When A Child Is Born (Soleado'

(26) 1977 Wings 'Mull Of Kintyre / Girls' School'

(27) 1978 Boney M 'Mary's Boy Child-Oh My Lord'

(28) 1979 Pink Floyd 'Another Brick In The Wal'

(29) 1980 St Winifred's School Choir 'There's No One Quite Like Grandma'

(30) 1981 The Human League 'Don't You Want Me'

(31) 1982 Renee and Renato 'Save Your Love'

(32) 1983 The Flying Pickets 'Only You'

(33) 1984 Band Aid 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

(34) 1985 Shakin' Stevens 'Merry Christmas Everyone'

(35) 1986 Jackie Wilson 'Reet Petite'

(36) 1987 The Pet Shop Boys 'Always On My Mind'

(37) 1988 Cliff Richard 'Mistletoe and Wine'

(38) 1989 Band Aid II 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

(39) 1990 Cliff Richard Saviour's Day

(40) 1991 Queen 'Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives'

(41) 1992 Whitney Houston 'I Will Always Love You'

(42) 1993 Mr Blobby 'Mr Blobby'

(43) 1994 East 17 'Stay Another Day'

(44) 1995 Michael Jackson 'Earth Song'

(45) 1996 Spice Girls '2 Become 1'

(46) 1997 Spice Girls 'Too Much'

(47) 1998 Spice Girls 'Goodbye'

(48) 1999 Westlife 'I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun'

(49) 2000 Bob The Builder 'Can We Fix It?'

(50) 2001 Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman 'Somethin' Stupid'

(51) 2002 Girls Aloud 'Sound of the Underground'

(52) 2003 Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules 'Mad World'

(53) 2004 Band Aid 20 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

(54) 2005 Shayne Ward 'That's My Goal'

(55) 2006 Leona Lewis 'A Moment Like This'

By Albertina Lloyd