THE race is well and truly on for this year's Christmas number one in the charts.
It was widely thought after Shane McGowan's sad passing at the age of 65, their famous hit 'Fairytale of New York' would be a shoe-in for the top spot.
However, according to Betfair, it seems that is no longer the case as several songs have overtaken the festive band.
Former Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder released his own title track ‘You’re Christmas To Me.’
He currently stands as the second favourite to reach the top spot as his odds have been slashed to 5/1.
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The Pogues were once as short as 1/4, however the fan favourite has overtaken the group as their odds now sit at 9/1.
Current favourites are Wham! with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley with their own festive hit 'Last Christmas.'
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom explained: "Odds have been slashed on Wham! to have a first ever Christmas No.1 with their hit song ‘Last Christmas’.
"Wham! are now odds-on at 1/5 to top the charts at Christmas, having previously been 15/2.
"The Pogues had been as short as 1/4 with their ‘ Fairytale of New York’ hit, but their odds have drifted to 9/1."
"Sam Ryder is Wham!’s closest challenger, with the Eurovision star’s festive song, ‘You're Christmas to Me’, 5/1 to secure a Christmas No.1 spot."
It comes as Last Christmas widened the lead as they pushed ahead to 1,700 extra sales after being only 42 copies in front of the new festive track.
It hasn't all been plain sailing for Sam after he was forced to scrap a video that cost thousands.
The Space Man singer dressed up as Wizzard frontman Roy Wood in the promo for his new single You’re Christmas To Me.
He even slapped on the iconic blue facepaint and a red and white striped hat, just as Roy did in the clip for his 1973 festive hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
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However, mysterious circumstances led to the entire project being canned as Sam had to hastily film a new 'damage control' video.
