Wham! make chart history as Last Christmas becomes the first song to reach Christmas number one for two years in a row
The festive classic first hit the top spot last year - 39 years after it was released by pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley
Gracie Abrams clinches second place with her latest hit That's So True, and Mariah Carey's classic All I Want For Christmas Is You is third
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
From number 10 onwards, it's back to back bangers.
So in here, it's a race against time to get the best Christmas music out.
We start the top ten with the Pogues, Fairytale of New York.
Paul Glynn
Entertainment & arts reporter
Image source, ReutersThis evergreen Christmas classic, which basically constitutes a beautifully melodic drunken row between two lovers, begins the top 10 rundown this year.
According to a 2020 poll by BBC Radio 2, The Pogues’ Fairytale Of New York was the most-played Christmas Song of the 21st Century.
But the same year, BBC Radio 1 said it would not play the original version because its audience may be offended by some of the lyrics referring to derogatory terms around gender and sexuality.
The song was re-issued on seven-inch single for this year, with part of the proceeds going to the Dublin Simon Community - a charity supported by late Pogues singer Shane MacGowan and his wife Victoria Mary Clarke - which aims to prevent and end homelessness.
The Libertines also posted, external a joyously shambolic live cover of the song in honour of their old pal. “RIP Shane, this one’s for you matey,” they posted.
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Not long to go until we get to the serious numbers.
OK. The top 10. Here we go...
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter, in the Radio 1 studio
Despite all the hard work and stress about timings that goes into producing a Christmas chart, it's a really fun vibe in the studio.
We're hearing voice notes from listeners as producers who say they're loving the show.
The team is working hard to keep things on track, but there's also the opportunity for a dance and a singalong when some of the classics make an appearance.
For the novice - aka me - there’s always the danger of talking over one of Jack’s links amid the fun - thankfully he shouts “mic’s going up” as a warning each time.
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Image source, GettyWhile Adam and the Radio 1 production team defy gravity upstairs, we're down here enjoying the vibes. Here's your latest list of Christmas crackers:
It's getting exciting now, stick with us.
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
Next up it's Wicked anthem Defying Gravity by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
It's inspired a huge singalong in the studio among the producers, go girls!
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
Hearing Driving Home for Christmas just now reminded me of a prank cruelly played on me on my New Music Show.
It was all going so well, but then there was a trick that ruined the integrity of the programme.
The Going Home team, hosted by Vick, Katie and Jamie asked me to play a remix of Driving Home for Christmas.
I refused, but they still got their way.
Over the top of a drum'n'bass anthem came the trio's dreadful singing of the famous chorus.
I was particularly unhappy about that - and it’s left a sour taste whenever Chris Rea’s tune comes round.
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Image source, Getty ImagesWoah, we're halfway there... No, that's not a Christmas song - but these are. Here's the latest from the eighth floor of London Broadcasting House.
But seriously, we're halfway through the chart now.
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Image source, Getty ImagesTime for the first of the absolute classics. It's Slade and Wizzard.
Feeling festive yet? It's like the office Christmas party here.
Observant readers will remember I also said this last year.
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter, in the Radio 1 studio
We've got a break from the vibing and dancing to Christmas tunes in here for the news, so I've just asked Jack and the team what they think makes the perfect Christmas tune.
Jack says it needs to feel a bit "plinkety plonkety", giving the feeling that you're "a little bit intoxicated". He gives Slade and Wizzard's hits as great examples.
"They're just literally having fun," he explains. "You've got to leave the formulated pop out of the window a little bit."
The production team chips in that sleigh bells are also a must: "I think you can turn any song into a Christmas tune with jingle bells."
Paul Glynn
Entertainment & arts reporter
Sir Starmer & Granny Harmer's protest track Freezing This Christmas reached this year's top 40 (number 37) after a campaign which saw it secure the most downloads of the week.
The song, penned by Chris Middleton and Dean Ager, criticises the prime minister's decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. Sir Keir has defended the move saying his government had to take "tough decisions to stabilise the economy".
The track has not featured on BBC radio or most commercial stations, a move which has garnered criticism from Tory MPs.
A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation plays “a wide range of music across our stations - we don’t have specific policies on tracks or ban any songs”. Adding: “Decisions on what we play are always made with the relevant audiences and context in mind.”
When Ding Dong the Witch is Dead reached number two in the chart following the death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013, the BBC did not air that one either.
In 2009, a protest of a different kind saw fans of Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name put a small but welcome dint in the X Factor monopoly of the Christmas number one during that period.
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
There’s a big new entry from the Reytons, who might shake things up a little bit in terms of the albums chart - but as it turns out, they can only snatch the number 5 spot.
Taylor Swift is in at four and at number three, it’s the hugely dominant Chappelle Roan, the queen of pop in 2024.
At number two, it’s my favourite Michael Buble with his Christmas classics.
And at number one this week, it’s Sabrina Carpenter with Short and Sweet - up from last week’s number two spot.
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Image source, Getty ImagesTime flies when you're having festive fun and we're ten songs down already. Just joining us? Here's what you've missed:
Stick with us, we're only just getting started.
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
We're flying through the start of the chart.
It might not feel like the huge titan fight we usually have for number one, but there's plenty of reasons to listen today.
For one, Wham! might bring home the number one on the 40th anniversary of Last Christmas's release - holding onto their title from last year.
Then there's Tom Grennan who's threatened to get a tattoo of himself on his leg if he reaches the top spot.
Or, maybe the grinch of new entry Gracie Abrams might take number one?
Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're up and running now and so far it's been a mix of festive and non-festive hits. Let's take a quick look back at the first part of the chart:
Stick with us, we will be here all the way until number one.
Who do you want to be number one in the charts? Where will you be listening to or watching the countdown? Have you been a fan of the Chart Show for a while?
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Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter, in the Radio 1 studio
Your host today, Jack Saunders
Jack and the team say today's preparation has been "hectic" but they're buzzing to bring you this year's Christmas chart.
We've been listening to Radio 1 anthems in the studio to get us in the zone - stick with us for the next hour and a half.
Today's producers Rozeena, Helena and Fiona
Jack Saunders
Presenter, the Official Chart on Radio 1
Here we go, the biggest chart of the year is about to begin.
Will Wham! hold their title, or will it be a new challenger like Gracie Abrams?
Follow along with us here or press Watch live at the top of the page to see the chart in action.
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter, in the Radio 1 studio
We are now moments away from the chart countdown starting, and I’m sitting down in the brightly lit studio.
There’s no mince pies - or buck's fizz for that matter - allowed in here, but the atmosphere is undeniably festive amongst the small team of producers, who are ready for one final push before the end of the year.
Around me, the team is busying itself by preparing the all-important buttons, and dragging jingles and songs into place on the BBC systems.
Presenter Jack Saunders, meanwhile, is at the microphone, raring to get going.
Remember, we’ll be bringing you all the latest updates here, and you can also see the studio in action by pressing Watch live at the top of the page.
The show starts at 16:00GMT.
Let's hear from Jack.
Watch: Jack Saunders prepares to announce 2024's Christmas number one