November 25, 2012 12:00

The Pogues' 'Fairytale Of New York' bookies favourite for Christmas Number One

This Christmas marks 25-year anniversary of the song's original release

Photo: PA

The Pogues' 'Fairytale Of New York' has been made the bookies favourite to bag this year's Christmas Number One Single.

This Christmas marks 25 years since the song, featuring the late singer Kirsty MacColl, was released and the band are celebrating the landmark with a special anniversary re-release.

Irish bookmakers Paddy Power has given odds of 25-1 for the song to be top of the Official UK Singles Chart come Christmas Day, making it their favourite. The track will be re-released on iTunes in a song, video and instrumental bundle on November 26 and as a limited-edition 7" vinyl on December 3.

The Irish band will be up against some stiff completion with Girls Aloud expected to make a bid for their second Christmas Number One with their new track 'Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me' having an 'impact date' release of December 17.

However, it is rumoured The X Factor has ruled itself out of the race for this year's Christmas Number One. The ITV talent show juggernaut has traditionally released its winner's single the week before Christmas, and in most cases has comfortably topped the festive chart.

Last year's winners, Little Mix, topped the chart with their single 'Cannonball' and were number one as Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, although later that day they lost out to the Military Wives, meaning there were technically two Christmas Number Ones. However, this year, producers have apparently taken the winners out of the race.

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