X Factor 2013 Winner will join the race for this year's Christmas No.1
THE X FACTOR has rejoined the festive race for No.1 in the charts following a two year absence.
The 2013 X Factor winner has yet to revealed but the Official Charts Company announced today the lucky contestant will be releasing their debut single during the Christmas Number one week.
Following the show's live final on December 15th the 10th X factor winner will face stiff competition for the Xmas No.1 spot from 11-year-old choirboy Jack Topping with 'Tomorrow' from musical Annie, Britain’s Got Talent finalists Richard & Adam with 'I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In (On Christmas Day)', and Susan Boyle and Elvis Presley's 'O Come, All Ye Faithful'.
Big Reunion stars 911, Blue, 5ive, Atomic Kitten, Liberty X and B*witched are also being hotly tipped to win the battle for No.1 with their cover version of Wizzard’s classic 1973 hit 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday'.
Matt Cardle was the last X Factor winner to bag the Christmas No.1 spot in 2010 with a cover of Biffy Clyro's 'Many of Horror'. The X Factor Christmas No.1 alumni also include Shayne Ward in 2005, Leona Lewis in 2006, Leon Jackson in 2007 and Alexandra Burke 2008 cover version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
The no.1 Xmas track record has not always been successful for the reality music show as 2009 winner Joe McElderry became the first contestant to lose out on the top spot with his cover of Miley Cyrus 'The Climb'.
Following a highly publicised social media campaign to end X factor's dominance of the Christmas single market, Rage Against The Machine reached No.1 with their 1993 hit single 'Rage Against The Machine'.
Over the past two years the show has changed its tactics by releasing the first single of winners James Arthur in 2012 and Little Mix in 2011 a week ahead of the Xmas releases and have still managed to reach the top spot.
This weekend will see the remaining eight contestants including Rough Copy, Abi Alton, Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Sam Bailey compete for their place in the competition.
The theme for Saturday night's live show will be a Big Band themed special with a full orchestra accompanying the acts. Canadian singer Celion Dion will be taking to the stage to perform during Sunday's result show.
The song list for the Big Band performances are as follows (not in particular order)
Abi Alton – That’s Life
Hannah Barrett – This Is A Man’s World
Luke Friend – Moondance
Nicholas McDonald – Dream A Little Dream
Rough Copy – Hit The Road Jack
Sam Bailey – New York New York
Sam Callahan – Ain’t That A Kick In The Head
Tamera Foster – Cry Me A River