Bet 365 and Paddy Power are already offering odds on this year’s UK number one single. Take That are the current favourites, followed closely by Peter Kay and Bob the Builder. The current odds are being offered without any X-Factor contestants. Odds correct at time of publication – please check with bookmaker before placing bets.

Bet365 Christmas Number 1 Odds

Take That 11/2
Boyzone 8/1
Bob the Builder 9/1
Ricky Hatton 10/1
Girls Aloud 12/1
Leona Lewis 14/1
Beyonce 16/1
Madonna 20/1
Sugababes 20/1
Gabriella Cilmi 20/1
Killers & Elton John 20/1
Cliff Richard 25/1
Pink 25/1
Scooter (Feat Status Quo) 25/1
Katie Melua 28/1
Snow Patrol 28/1
Wham 28/1
The Killers 33/1
The Pogues 33/1
Mariah Carey 33/1
Rihanna 33/1
Britney Spears 33/1
McFly 40/1
Amy Winehouse 40/1
Leon Jackson 40/1
Kings of Leon 40/1
Keane 40/1
Will Young 40/1
Michael Buble 40/1
Robbie Williams 50/1

Paddy Power Christmas Number 1 Odds

Singles Only. Applies to the highest placed single without the 2008 X Factor Winner on Christmas Day 2008 according to BBC Radio 1 Chart. Others on request. Dead Heat Rules May Apply.

Take That 6 – 1
Peter Kay 8 – 1
Girls Aloud 10 – 1
Boyzone 10 – 1
Ricky Hatton 12 – 1
Gabriella Cilmi 16 – 1
Leona Lewis 16 – 1
Status Quo 18 – 1
Beyonce 20 – 1
Killers & Elton John 20 – 1
Katie Melua 20 – 1
Leon Jackson 20 – 1
Sugababes 20 – 1
The Pogues 20 – 1
Pink 20 – 1
Mr.Superfly 20 – 1
Mariah Carey 25 – 1
Ian Reddington 25 – 1
Any of High School Musical Cast 25 – 1
Snow Patrol 25 – 1
Rihanna 33 – 1
Ne-Yo 33 – 1
Britney Spears 33 – 1
The Feeling 33 – 1
Wham! 33 – 1
The Wombats 33 – 1
Band Aid 33 – 1
Christina Aguilera 33 – 1
Will Young 40 – 1
Kings of Leon 40 – 1
Michael Buble 40 – 1
Keane 40 – 1
Cliff Richard 50 – 1
Wizzard 50 – 1
Dido 50 – 1
Carrie Underwood 50 – 1
Andy Williams 66 – 1
Paul McCartney 66 – 1
Glam Chops 66 – 1
Slade 66 – 1
James Blunt 80 – 1
Jason Donovan 80 – 1
Amy Winehouse 80 – 1
Dean Martin 80 – 1
Anastacia 100 – 1
Alicia Keys 100 – 1
Bing Crosby 100 – 1
Celine Dion 100 – 1
Elvis Presley 100 – 1
Kylie 100 – 1
Lemar 100 – 1
Nat King Cole 100 – 1
Shakin Stevens 100 – 1
Shayne Ward 100 – 1
Spice Girls 100 – 1
Westlife 100 – 1
Aled Jones 100 – 1

Ricky Hatton

Rick Hatton

10/1 with Bet365 12/1 with Paddy Power

For those of you wondering why Ricky Hatton is in the running for a Christmas Number 1, word has it that he’s enlisting Noel Gallagher to help him do a Ricky Hatton version of “Hi Ho Silver Lining” with lyrics by Joey Blower, the comedian. Click here to read the full story from NME.

Bob the Builder

Bob has already had a Christmas number one in the year 2000, with the complex and moving “Can We Fix It?”. The answer was, “Yes, we can”.

The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls have already had three Christmas number ones; “2 Become 1″ in 1996, “Too Much” in 1997 and “Goodbye” in 1998. With their recent revival and tour, the Spice Girls may well have another shot at the top spot.

Band Aid

Band Aid copped the coveted Christmas top spot with “Do They Know It’s Christmas” in 1984, 1989 and 2004. It seems that people don’t necessarily look for fresh music at this time of year.

Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard

The crooning Christian has had his fair share of festive hits: the 1988 “Mistletoe and Wine” and the 1990 “Saviour’s Day”.