Katie Melua has called on 'X Factor' chiefs to donate the profits from the winner's debut single, which is pretty likely to be Christmas number one this year, to charity. Melua has an interest in these things because she has provided vocals to a new contender for the Christmas number one spot, a version of 'What A Wonderful World' featuring her and the late Eva Cassidy, profits from which will go to the British Red Cross.
The chart topping warbler says that the dominance of 'X-Factor' in the Christmas chart has ruined the festive run down, but that bosses at the ITV show could make up for it by making this year's winner-single a charity release. Something that's sure to go down very well with 'X Factor' bosses who have already seen the income from the show's voting slump in the aftermath of the dodgy TV phone-in scandal.
Melua told reporters: "In recent years the whole Christmas number one thing hasn't been focused on the Christmas spirit. I'm not saying 'What A Wonderful World' is a Christmas song, it obviously isn't, but what it's raising money for and awareness for is very much in the Christmas spirit. Maybe this will encourage 'The X Factor' to donate all their money to charity. I think they should. To me Christmas is about families and giving. It should not just be about giving each other the latest iPods and Nintendo games. The reason why the Christmas number one is such a big deal is because that's the song people buy to give each other presents. So if all that money was to go to charity that would be great".
While the 'X-Factor' single - a cover of Mariah Carey's 'When You Believe' - is still favourite to be Christmas number one, the Melua/Cassidy single could be a credible competitor to top the festive chart, especially as Melua/Cassidy fan Terry Wogan has thrown his weight behind it. That said, it is released on 10 Dec so could have its sales peak the week before the Christmas chart.