George Michael with Wham! sees odds slashed for Festive Number One

Wham! odds slashed to clinch Christmas No.1 spot

“We’ve seen some interesting early money for Wham! to be this year’s Christmas No.1 and have had to cut our offering from 11/4 to 4/6. Considering we don’t know which tunes will be launched ahead of the festive season, 4/6 is a short price and could get even shorter as we approach the festive countdown.” – Betway’s Alan Alger

Betway is reporting smart money for Wham! belter Last Christmas to finally hit the top of the charts this Christmas, a year on from the passing of band member George Michael.

The Careless Whisper singer and songwriter formed half of the Wham! duo and their Christmas classic, which was beaten into second by Band Aid in 1984, has been heavily punted in from 11/4 to 4/6 in recent days and could shorten further if the support continues.

The X Factor winners have been responsible for seven of the last 12 Christmas No.1s, but generous odds of 6/1 suggest Simon Cowell’s graduate holds just an outside chance of topping the charts this year.

George Michael is back in the spotlight following a documentary on his life and career, which aired on Channel 4 last night. Announced in September 2016 the documentary was narrated by George himself, and completed just before his death in December 2016.

The 90 minute production George Michael: Freedom was a very personal documentary from the late personality which revealed how the boy from north London became one of the most influential recording artists of all time and helped to re-write the rules of the music industry and celebrity. The success of his first solo album Faith resulted in him becoming one of the few artists who could shift millions of albums worldwide. This was a dream scenario for the label but he had different plans. This resulted in a difference in opinion between him and Sony Music over how the follow-up album Listen Without Prejudice was promoted.

“The X Factor was once a safe bet for Christmas No.1, with Shayne Ward and Alexandra Burke book-ending four years of chart-toppers from 2005 to 2008, but this year’s winning act is as big as 6/1 to return to the top.” – Betway’s Alan Alger

Christmas No.1 2017

Wham! – 4/6, The X Factor winner – 6/1, David Bowie – 6/1, Justin Bieber – 10/1, Ed Sheeran – 14/1. While festive favourites included Cliff Richard – 50/1, Slade – 100/1, The Pogues – 100/1 and Wizzard – 100/1.