THE race for Christmas number one has been shaken up again – with a festive song tipped to beat both The Pogues and Creator Universe to the top spot.
Wham! is back in the race with flying colours as the bookies have revealed each group’s chances of success.
Former schoolmates George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley made up the two-man-band that formed in Worcestershire in 1981.
They went on to achieve smash hits with Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Everything She Wants, I’m Your Man and Last Christmas.
In 1984, Wham!’s festive hit Last Christmas was kept off the Number One spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, which George sung on.
The bookies now have Wham! priced at just 4/7 to scoop number one this Friday, with The Pogues now second in the betting at 5/2 ahead of Creator Universe.
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Elsewhere, Sam Ryder has emerged as a potential contender at 8/1, while every other band or artist is priced at 25/1 or bigger as things stand.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes LIVE said: “It’s all changed once again at the head of the festive top spot betting, and it looks like Wham! are peaking at just the right time, as far as the odds are now concerned.”
YouTuber Ladbaby has scored the festive No1 for the past five consecutive years, but this time, someone else will finally bag it.
The star has decided to take a break from his food-themed seasonal releases, having reached number one for the past five years.
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The winner was initially thought to be Shane MacGowan but he was recently overtaken by Creator Universe.
George from Wham! was found dead in bed at his Oxfordshire home by his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz on Christmas Day, 2016.
Following the tragic news, fans and famous faces around the world paid tribute to the star.
Referring to him by his nickname “Yog” (Yours Only George), Andrew wrote on X/Twitter: “Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved.”
Miley Cyrus wrote: “Miss you already! Thank you for your radical activism in the LGBTQ community! Love you always!”
Paris Hilton wrote: “Such sad news to hear on Christmas. Lost another great today. A legend & icon. Taken away too soon. My prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.”
