Whether you’re rocking around the Christmas tree, or feeling lonely this Christmas, the Christmas Number 1 is a British institution. Some of the world’s most iconic music stars have claimed the top prize over the years, leaving us with festive bangers such as 2004’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? from BandAid and East 17’s smash hit Stay Another Day. And of course, the classic 2000 bop from Bob the Builder, Can We Fix It?

However, it’s the 1987 track Fairytale of New York from The Pogues which is supposedly the nation’s favourite Christmas tune.

Research carried out by YouGov shows the controversial song, which sparked outrage this year after the BBC played a censored version, was even more popular than Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas.

The poll, which surveyed more than 1,200 UK adults between December 3 and 4 and asked what their favourite Christmas song, saw the Pogues in the top spot with 17 percent.

Mariah secured just eight percent while Last Christmas scored just seven percent of the vote.

This year, there’s dozens of artists vying for the coveted position once again – but who will it be, and when will we find out?

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But while the silly song may catch your attention for its hilarious puns and giggle-inducing music video, there’s a rather heartwarming message to the single.

The track is raising money for UK food bank charity The Trussell Trust, and Mark said this is “our most important year yet”.

He added: “The reason we aspire to get number one is, it gives us the opportunity to mention the charity and for the charity to get talked about.

“That’s why we always do our best to get to number one. The Beatles and the Spice Girls… people talk about us having three as well.

“You know, it’s an honour to be mentioned with such musical greats. But our passion is to raise the name of this charity.”

LadBaby – 1/5

NHS Choir & Justin Bieber – 5/1

Mariah Carey – 8/1

ICU Liberty Choir – 16/1

The Pogues – 18/1

Full list of the last 50 years of Christmas No 1s

2020: ?

2019: LadBaby – I love Sausage Rolls

2018: LadBaby – We Built This City

2017: Ed Sheehan – Perfect

2016: clean Bandit – Rockabye

2015: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir – A Bridge over You

2014: Ben Haenow – Something I Need

2013: Sam Bailey – Skyscraper

2012: The Justice Collective – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

2011: The Military Wives Choir – Wherever You Are

2010: Matt Cardle – When We Collide

2009: Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name

2008: Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah

2007: Leon Jackson – When You Believe

2006: Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This

2005: Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal

2004: Band Aid 20 – Do They Know It’s Christmas?

2003: Michael Andrews and Gary Jules – Mad World

2002: Girls Aloud – Sound of the Underground

2001: Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman – Somethin’ Stupid

2000: Bob The Builder – Can We Fix It?

1999: Westlife – I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun

1998: Spice Girls – Goodbye

1997: Spice Girls – Too Much

1996: Spice Girls – 2 Become 1

1995: Michael Jackson – Earth Song

1994: East 17 – Stay Another Day

1993: Mr Blobby – Mr Blobby

1992: Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

1991: Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives

1990: Cliff Richard – Saviours’ Day

1989: Band Aid II – Do They Know It’s Christmas?

1988: Cliff Richard – Mistletoe & Wine

1987: The Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind

1986: Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite

1985: Shakin’ Stevens – Merry Christmas Everyone

1984: Band Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas?

1983: The Flying Pickets – Only You

1982: Renee & Renato – Save Your Love

1981: The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

1980: St Winifred’s School Choir – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma

1979: Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall

1978: Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child-Oh My Lord

1977: Wings – Mull Of Kintyre / Girls’ School

1976: Johnny Mathis – When A Child Is Born (Soleado)

1975: Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

1974: Mud – Lonely This Christmas

1973: Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody

1972: Little Jimmy Osmond – Long Haired Lover From Liverpool

1971: Benny Hill – Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)

1970: Dave Edmunds – I Hear You Knockin’

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