The race for the 2025 Christmas number one was a nail-biter, the closest in sixteen years – a battle culminating in a stunning victory for Kylie Minogue and her original song, XMAS. It marked the end of a two-year reign for Wham!’s enduring classic, Last Christmas.
This win wasn’t just another chart-topper; it was history in the making. Kylie became the first artist in 35 years to claim the festive top spot with a brand new, original Christmas song. Even more remarkably, she’s the first female artist to achieve a UK number one single across four separate decades – a testament to her enduring appeal and musical evolution.
Behind the scenes, Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company, witnessed the entire drama unfold. He’s been at the heart of the Christmas charts for over a decade, navigating shifts in the music landscape from the X Factor’s influence to the surprising dominance of LadBaby.
Talbot believes Kylie’s success is a beacon of hope for artists brave enough to create new Christmas anthems. “It gives confidence to other artists that they *can* produce big number ones, even when facing established juggernauts,” he explained, emphasizing the cultural significance of the season and the desire for fresh festive sounds.
Some feared the Christmas charts had lost their spark, becoming predictable in the age of streaming. But Talbot dismissed those concerns, and Kylie’s victory proved him right. The competition, he insisted, is always evolving, always changing – a sentiment echoed throughout the history of the charts.
He pointed to past eras – the “cheesy” hits of the 80s, the “naff” songs of the 70s – all sparking similar debates. Kylie’s triumph, he said, is “breathing new life” into the period, inspiring artists to strive for that elusive Christmas classic status.
The intensity of the race transformed the Official Charts Company into a “madhouse” during the crucial week. While the nation prepared for the holidays, the OCC team worked tirelessly, fueled by the excitement and importance of the Christmas number one to the public.
Talbot admitted to a quiet preference for a new champion. While acknowledging the cozy familiarity of Last Christmas, he hoped for a fresh voice to take the crown, a sentiment that resonated with the desire for innovation in a beloved tradition.
The last truly original Christmas number one was Ed Sheeran’s Perfect in 2017. Before that, you had to go back to 1990 and Sir Cliff Richard’s Saviour’s Day to find a completely new, Christmas-themed song at the top. Talbot noted the growing ambition of major artists – Ariana Grande, Elton John, and others – all vying for a place in Christmas chart history.
He highlighted the increasing participation of established artists, recognizing the cultural weight of a Christmas number one. Kylie’s song, he predicted, would become a staple at festive gatherings for years to come, especially now with its hard-won victory.
But perhaps the most memorable Christmas number one race in recent memory, according to Talbot, was sixteen years prior: Rage Against the Machine’s unexpected triumph over X Factor winner Joe McElderry. Both songs sold over 500,000 copies in a single week.
“You could not call it,” Talbot recalled. “Nobody believed Rage had a chance, but a surge of interest on social media changed everything. It was amazing to witness that momentum build and ultimately see them claim the top spot.”
Now, with Kylie Minogue’s name etched into Christmas chart history, the question remains: will this battle with Wham! be remembered with the same fondness in years to come? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the 2025 race delivered a Christmas number one worthy of celebration.
