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Christmas number 1 2018 odds: Who is set to take the Xmas top spot and when will it be announced?

Record-breaking: Ariana Grande's hit could be in contention for the Christmas number one: Youtube
Record-breaking: Ariana Grande's hit could be in contention for the Christmas number one: Youtube

The Christmas number one is a festive tradition dating all the way back to 1952, and landing the top spot on December 25 will be a dream for any artist.

In recent years, the likes of Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit and a whole host of X Factor winners have climbed to the top of the festive charts, but who will be battling it out for the coveted number one position in 2018? From Ariana Grande to I'm A Celebrity's Nick Knowles, here's everything you need to know about this year's contenders.

When will the Christmas number one be announced?

All will be revealed on Friday, December 21, when the Christmas Top 40 will be unveiled in full on BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart. The show kicks off at 4pm, and will be hosted by Scott Mills, who has said he’s “so excited” to do the honours, adding: “I’ve announced it once before, but now I’m the chart show’s official host it means so much more.”

Who will be this year's Christmas number one?

Will Thank U, Next continue to dominate the charts? Or could a parenting vlogger end up with a surprise hit? Here are the latest odds for Christmas number one, as supplied by Betfair.

Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next (2/5)

As Thank U, Next shows no sign of loosening its grip on the charts, Grande looks like the favourite for this year’s Christmas number one. With the video featuring a Mean Girls-inspired festive segment, she couldn’t have planned things better.

Ava Max - Sweet But Psycho (8/1)

Grande’s biggest competition comes in the shape of rising star Ava Max, whose breakthrough hit Sweet But Psycho has already managed to hit number one in Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Lad Baby - We Built This City (8/1)

Parenting YouTuber and Celebrity Dad of the Year 2018, vlogger Mark Hoyle (aka Lad Baby) has released a cover of Starship’s We Built This City, with proceeds going to the Trussell Trust.

Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart (9/1)

Mark Ronson’s comeback single – with guest vocals from Miley Cyrus – entered the chart at number 10 last week, and looks set to keep on rising.

Dalton Harris and James Arthur - Power Of Love (10/1)

Triumph in the X Factor was once a sure fire route to the Christmas number one, but it’s been a while (four years, in fact) since a winner has managed to climb the charts. Dalton Harris will be hoping to change that with his cover of The Power Of Love.

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You (12/1)

East 17 famously beat Mariah to number one in 1994 with Stay Another Day, but almost a decade and a half later, All I Want For Christmas Is You is still making waves in the festive chart, currently sitting in sixth place.

James Arthur and Anne-Marie - Rewrite The Stars (14/1)

This year, James Arthur has not one but two shots at Christmas success. In addition to his X Factor duet, he’s also teamed up with Anne-Marie to reimagine this duet from musical juggernaut The Greatest Showman.

David Attenborough - La Llegada (33/1)

The much-loved broadcaster, who recently returned to screens with new series Dynasties, is making a play for number one with La Llegada, a recording of indigenous musicians in Paraguay.

Nick Knowles - Make You Feel My Love (50/1)

The I’m A Celebrity star’s Adele cover shot up the charts last month when Radio X host Chris Moyles encouraged listeners to download the track from Knowles’ debut album. The fact that the track has since dropped out of the top 100 makes the DIY SOS presenter something of an outside bet.

Who was last year’s Christmas number one?

Ed Sheeran took the festive top spot in 2017, after he released a new version of his ballad Perfect featuring guest vocals from Beyoncé. In a video message, the singer said that hitting the Christmas number one was “an actual dream come true,” and said he was feeling “very proud and happy.” Despite appearing on the track, official chart rules meant that Beyoncé didn’t receive a credit for Christmas number one: all versions of a track count towards the same chart position, and streams and sales for her version were classed under Sheeran’s original.

Who is eligible for the Christmas number one?

According to the Official Charts Company, anyone who wants to be in with a chance must “make sure their single is available during the week before the cut-off point for sales and streams to be counted towards the chart.” This year, that cut-off falls at midnight on December 20, so there’s still plenty of time for an outside bet to gain traction.