Despite having a reputation for being there every Christmas, Cliff Richard has only actually had three Christmas number ones - in 1960, 1988 and 1990 - though his 'Millennium Prayer' came close in 1999. Either way, Cliff is going for his fourth Festive chart topper by releasing one of the tracks off his new album 'Cliff At Christmas'. The song, called 'Santa's List', has been co-written by the guy behind 'Saviours Day' - Cliff's last Christmas number one in 1990.
Talking to GMTV yesterday Cliff said: "I found a song that's never been recorded before so you won't have heard it until I release it as a single, it's called Santa's List. Obviously I like my singles, but only time will tell whether or not it'll be number one at Christmas. It's impossible to tell these days. And if someone's got a better record, I'll have to be number two."
He may, in fact, have to make do with number three, because the two favourites for Christmas number one are current The Darkness and the as yet to be decided Pop Idol winner. William Hill make The Darkness the 5-1 second favourites for the festive chart top spot - just behind the unnamed Pop Idol winner at 3-1.
Other odds for a Christmas number one are as follows: the yet-to-be-decided winner of Fame Academy - 7-1, Justin Timberlake and Girls Aloud - 10-1, Busted - 11-1, while Westlife, Robbie Williams and Alex Parks - 12-1. William Hill are yet to announce odds on Cliff