Music stars line-up in festive chart-topper bid

Hopefuls will be launching their bids for the prized Christmas number one single tomorrow - including hotly-tipped favourite Robbie Williams.

Williams duets with Hollywood star Nicole Kidman on the Frank and Nancy Sinatra cover Something Stupid, which pundits predict will go straight to the top of the charts.

If it holds on until Christmas he could become the first star since the Spice Girls five years ago to have a number one album and single over the festive period.

The track is up against new releases from Emma Bunton, children’s TV favourites The Lampies and both Janet Jackson and her brother Michael for the top spot.

And whoever manages it will then be hoping to hang on for another week to secure the prestigious Christmas slot.

Williams emerged as an early favourite and his timing - releasing at least a week before Christmas - could well work in his favour.

Releasing with just seven days to go before the Christmas chart is announced, as David Gray and Mariah Carey are doing next week, can leave too little time for festive record-buying, with patterns more unpredictable than during the rest of the year as people often stock up on stocking fillers.

Robbie and Nicole’s track is taken from his number one album Swing When You’re Winning which is expected to be the biggest selling LP over the festive period.

The one hurdle for the pair to take the top seasonal single would be if George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord were released before Christmas, although that now looks unlikely.

Chart expert Gennaro Castaldo, of music retail chain HMV, said of the duo’s single: ‘‘It’s got all the elements of a Christmas number one.

‘‘It’s got the novelty value - our leading music entertainer teaming up with one of Hollywood’s star names - it’s got singalong-ability for the office party, Robbie has got a massive following who are bound to go out and buy the single and it should have the momentum to keep selling through to Christmas week with being released at this time.’’

Last year’s Christmas chart-topper Bob The Builder chose not to release a single for the festive season this year.