Pop icon Kylie Minogue has officially clinched the coveted Christmas Number One spot for 2025 with her festive track, 'XMAS'. The announcement was made live on BBC Radio 1, ending the two-year dominance of Wham!'s perennial favourite, 'Last Christmas'.
A Festive Chart Battle
The race for this year's top festive single was fiercely contested. The winner was determined by combined sales and streams from December 12 to 18, as confirmed by the Official Charts Company. Kylie's victory was far from assured, with strong competition from several quarters.
Other notable contenders included Wham!, making another powerful bid for the top, and a charity single titled 'Lullaby' from Together For Palestine. Denise Welch of Loose Women also entered the fray with her song 'Slayyy Bells'. The charts authority also considered non-festive hits, listing potential challengers like Raye's TikTok-viral 'Where Is My Husband', tracks by Olivia Dean, and recent songs from Taylor Swift.
Making Chart History
This triumph is particularly significant for the Australian superstar. 'XMAS' secures Minogue her eighth UK Number One single. More impressively, it cements her status as the only female artist to have achieved UK Number 1 singles across four different decades.
The song itself has made history, becoming the first Amazon Music Number One to reach the official top spot. It arrives 25 years after her iconic cover of 'Santa Baby' and gained massive traction partly due to its accompanying viral, YMCA-esque dance routine.
Upon receiving the news, an elated Kylie said: "It’s hard to put into words how special this feels. Being Christmas Number One really is the most wonderful gift! I’m so thankful to everyone who’s been listening and sharing the love and I’m wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!"
The Evolution of the Christmas Chart Crown
The Christmas Number One has a storied history in British pop culture. The Official Charts Company began naming a festive week chart-topper in 1952, with Al Martino's 'Here In My Heart' taking the inaugural honour.
Recent years have seen distinct eras of dominance. Before Wham!'s recent two-year streak, YouTube duo LadBaby held the title for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022 with their comedic, food-themed parodies. Prior to that, the chart was often won by X Factor winners, with Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Matt Cardle, and Sam Bailey all claiming the prize.
Iconic Christmas Number Ones throughout history include The Beatles' 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' (1963), Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' (1973), The Human League's 'Don't You Want Me' (1981), Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' (1984), and the Spice Girls' '2 Become 1' (1996).
Kylie Minogue's 'XMAS' now joins this legendary list, marking a triumphant return to the peak of the UK charts and ensuring her place in festive music history.
