Robbie makes it a Christmas double

Robbie Williams beat off a spirited challenge from pub crooner Gordon Haskell to claim the coveted Christmas number one.

His duet with Nicole Kidman, a cover of the classic single Somethin' Stupid, held on to the top spot in one of the closest races for the best selling festive hit in recent years.

The former Take That star's album Swing When Your Winning is also top of the album chart, making him the first act since the Spice Girls five years ago to have a double number one over Christmas.

He said: "I'm chuffed to bits. It's a fantastic result. A happy Christmas to everybody."

The success came despite tough competition from little known Haskell who took the pop industry by storm with his single How Wonderful You Are.

He composed the track during a supermarket shopping trip with his elderly mother and it went on to become a huge hit with Radio 2 listeners.

Haskell, who has just signed a lucrative record deal reportedly worth £2.4 million, even made a last-gasp push to boost his record sales by bus king in central London. But he raised less than £1 for his efforts.

Chart expert Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said it was one of the closest races for the Christmas number one in years.

"Robbie had a lead of just a few thousand on Friday night which is very small given the amount of records sold in the final few days before Christmas.

"In the end his star quality made the difference, but Gordon may well make it to number one in the next two weeks."