John Peel's favourite record - the Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks' - is now a favourite to be Christmas number one, even though EMI, who own the recording, haven't decided whether to release it or not! Latest word is William Hill have made the track fourth favourite for the festive top spot at 14:1 after the track has received so much attention in the days following the DJ's sudden death.
A spokesman for the bookies told reporters: "Over the last few days we have been repeatedly asked if we will be offering any prices on the Undertones being a Christmas hit. It is a tribute to Peel's popularity that music fans are making so many enquiries".
Of course the current Christmas number one favourites lists (which include Ronan Keating and Cat Steven's re-recording of 'Father & Son' and the Ricky Gervais / Noel Gallagher project) don't count a re-released Band Aid. It is so much assumed that if 'Do They Know It's Christmas' is re-released that it will top the festive charts, that some bookies are letting punters bet on songs being 'Christmas number one - or number two if a Band Aid single is released'.
Of course, given that an Undertones re-release would no doubt be sold in aid of a suitable charity it is unlikely EMI will want to pitch it against Band Aid anyway.