A young, little-known Italian friar looks set to take on Simon Cowell's The X Factor in the annual race for Christmas number one.
By day, Franciscan friar Alessandro Brustenghi lives and works as a carpenter and tour guide at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, a hilltop town in northern Italy.
The 34-year-old landed a major record deal earlier this year working with Manic Street Preachers and The Cure producer Mike Hedges on his debut album, Voice From Assisi.
Now the tenor has managed to top the specialist Classical Chart in the UK, beating Russell Watson's Anthems into second place.
"I have been overwhelmed by the reaction and the warmth of the people to this album, and feel the connection to so many hearts in a communion of beauty and joy, through music," he said.
Record bosses at Decca are hoping to capitalise on his popularity by releasing a single in time for Christmas which would go head-to-head with the song to be released by this year's X Factor winner.
However, even if Brustenghi's single is a huge money-spinner, because he has taken a personal vow of poverty, all proceeds will go to charity.
Last year the Military Wives deprived X Factor winners Little Mix of the festive accolade.
And in 2009, Joe McElderry was pipped to the post by Rage Against The Machine after a Facebook campaign against manufactured artists.
