Last Christmas by WHAM! has been crowned the UK’s Christmas Number for the second year running, making Official chart History.
The iconic festive hit, which was first released in 1984 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has now become the first song to achieve two consecutive Christmas No 1 wins.
Now enshrined as the UK’s favorite Christmas song, Last Christmas beat off fierce competition from Gracie Abrams and Mariah Carey, as well as a mad attempt from Tom Grennan.
Originally conceived by the late, great George Michael as a contender for the official Christmas No. 1 of 1984, Last Christmas was originally blocked from the festive top spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas. but finally claimed the coveted chart crown in 2023, completing the longest journey to No. 1 in 39 years.
Tom, who admitted he got “carried away” in his hopes of landing the festive headline stop, and even got a tattoo in his commitment to the cause, reached number four with his release It Can’t Be Christmas.
Following the announcement, Andrew Ridgeley of WHAM! he told the Official graphics Company: ’37 years to get to number 1, 39 years to Christmas number 1 and then, like London buses, they all come at once!’
Last Christmas by WHAM! has been crowned the UK’s Christmas number one for the second year in a row, making history in the official charts (pictured, Andrew Ridgeley of WHAM!).
The iconic festive hit, which was first released in 1984 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has now become the first song to achieve two consecutive Christmas Number 1 wins (George Michael pictured in 1984).
Tom, who admitted he got “carried away” in his hopes of landing the first festive stop and even got a tattoo in his commitment to the cause, reached number four.
“I’m especially pleased for George, he would be delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey and pigs in blankets.”
‘It is testament to a truly wonderful Christmas song that in many people’s minds evokes and represents Christmas as we all wish it were. I would like to thank everyone who listened, downloaded, purchased, streamed last Christmas and were a part of history. Thank you very much and Merry Christmas!’
Last Christmas secured the Christmas No. 1 with 12.6 million streams and also the best seller of the week physically, thanks to a set of limited edition 40th anniversary collectibles, including zoetrope vinyl, picture disc and CD .
ZA! now enters a rare official chart club, as one of the few acts to have achieved the official Christmas Number 1 multiple times alongside the likes of Queen, Spice Girls, The Beatles and Ladbaby.
Upon hearing the news, Andrew gushed: ‘Artists and songwriters of that caliber, of which George was one, transcend ages and decades and endure because of their quality. I think that’s why Last Christmas has endured.’
Gracie Abrams’ former chart-topper That’s So True ends the week at No. 2, following a last-minute surge ahead of the Christmas competition, having previously topped the Official Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks.
While Mariah Carey may be celebrating 30 years of All I Want for Christmas is You this year, she has to settle for finishing at No. 3.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet was announced as the official No. 1 album of Christmas 2024.
Now enshrined as the UK’s favorite Christmas song, Last Christmas beat off competition from Gracie Abrams and Mariah Carey, as well as a madcap attempt from Tom Grennan.
Andrew Ridgeley (R with George in 1986) of WHAM! said: “37 years to get to No. 1, 39 years to Christmas No. 1, and then, like London buses, they all come at once!” .
Gracie Abrams’ former chart-topper That’s So True ends the week at No. 2, following a last-minute surge ahead of the Christmas competition.
While Mariah Carey may be celebrating 30 years of All I Want For Christmas Is You this year, she has to settle for a No. 3 finish.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet was announced as the official No. 1 album of Christmas 2024.
Tom permanently marked his offer with ‘Christmas no. 1 2024 is…’ on his right leg, with a blank space left hopefully, his name.
The song first entered the Top 40 two weeks ago, peaking at number 25, before rising to number 6 on the chart last Friday.
Despite missing number one, behind second place, the fourth position marked Tom’s highest charting solo single in the UK.
Following the news, he said: “To everyone who has supported me, wherever they are, thank you for supporting me.”
‘You will always be part of my family and part of my Christmas dream. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, it’s been amazing and I love you all.”
While WHAM’s Andrew added: “I wish Tom every success in the future, the business depends on promising talent.” He’ll have his work cut out for him writing something like Last Christmas, everyone will, but at some point someone will, I’m sure of it.
Tom said previously The mirror: “The reaction has been brilliant. To be honest, I can’t help but get excited now.”
He added: “It’s something you hear when you grow up, right? Christmas number one. It would be an amazing Christmas present to get one. Now I can only cross my fingers and hope people continue playing and downloading it, but I already got carried away a little bit and got a new tattoo on my leg hoping we’ll get there.
The musician partnered with Amazon and wrote a special holiday song for his announcement.
Tom showed off his crazy ‘Christmas Number 1’ tattoo earlier this week as he begged his fans to let his move ‘fail’ and listen to his latest release.
Despite missing number one, behind second place, the fourth position marked Tom’s highest charting solo single in the UK.
Tom permanently marked his offer with ‘Christmas no. 1 2024 is…’ on his right leg, with a blank space left hopefully, his name.
Sharing a reel on his Instagram, Tom said: “I thought I’d make it interesting. I’m going to say ‘Christmas number 1 2024 is…’ and let you guys decide what goes on my leg.
‘Up to you. Stream it, buy the vinyl. We’ll see what happens. Boys, don’t let this fail.’
Footage of Tom getting the tattoo was soundtracked by the It Can’t Be Christmas lyrics: “Have I gone stupid?” Maybe. Have I gone crazy? Someone save me.’ The Christmas reveal of issue #1 on Friday will be the judge!’
Martin Talbot, Executive Director of Official Graphics, said: ‘Many, many congratulations to Andrew Ridgeley and the WHAM team! about achieving an incredible piece of Official Chart history this week.”
“It’s incredible to think that four years ago Last Christmas was the best-selling single to never reach No. 1; then it finally reached the top in January 2021, finally became Christmas No. 1 in December 2023 and is now the first Consecutive Christmas. Number 1 in history, with nine weeks at the top (in five different races) to his name.’
Surely, without a doubt, it is now established as the British nation’s all-time favorite Christmas song. Plus, of course, we should all tip our caps to Sabrina Carpenter, whose album Short N’ Sweet caps what has been an incredible year for her by becoming the official No. 1 Christmas album.