Tom Dunne: So this is Christmas, and what's number one?

John Lennon temporarily put the kibosh on the novelty Christmas record, but the traditional battle for the seasonal chart-topper has produced some classic tunes through the years 

L-R: Slade, John Lennon (w/Yoko Ono) - two artists synoymous with the Christmas season

And so, this is Christmas. John Lennon: 43 years gone last week – it still upsets me – changed not only the course of popular music but wiped out the ‘novelty Christmas song’ market too.

Don’t mention his name around the Christmas trees of Alma Coogan or Gayla Peake. Not if you know what’s good for you.