Downloads could see a classic take number one slot

DOWNLOADS are set to challenge the X Factor’s bid for the seasonal number one.

The X Factor winner has been hot favourite to take the festive number one, thanks to a guaranteed fanbase from the ITV/TV3 show.

But music experts believe that the downloading of classics to play at Christmas parties could influence who lands Britain’s number one.

Tracks in with a chance include The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale Of New York.

The single, which only reached number two when it was released in 1987, is predicted to move into the top 10 this weekend.

An internet campaign has also been launched on social networking sites to get it to number one.

Wham!’s Last Christmas is Number 13 in the mid-week charts and is expected to get into the top 10 in the coming days.

Downloads of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas, Wizard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, and Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody are all in the top 20.

But Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua’s duet, What A Wonderful World, is being tipped as the biggest challenger to the X Factor for the Christmas number one.

The charity single is backed by Radio 2 breakfast DJ Terry Wogan and is expected to knock Leona Lewis off the top of the charts tomorrow.

Welsh warbler Rhydian is tipped to win the X Factor final against brother and sister duo Same Difference and Leon Jackson.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan and soprano Katherine Jenkins are set to make guest appearances on the show.

The X Factor winner will be battling for the top spot with a cover of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston duet When You Believe.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: “It might well be close this Christmas. A lot of people are downloading old favourites for their Christmas parties. If the campaigning takes off Kirsty MacColl could be number one. Fairytale of New York never made it the first time so it would be amazing if it could do it 20 years on.”