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The Pogues’ festive classic Fairytale of New York has been the bookies’ favourite for Christmas No 1 in recent weeks while Shane MacGowan was hospitalised in an ICU.
The Irish singer, who had been in ill health for a number of years, was discharged earlier this month but has since died today aged 65.
Following the sad news, Fairytale of New York’s odds of being UK Christmas No 1 this year have slashed from 4-5 to 1-4.
Coral’s John Hill said: “After the tragic passing of Shane MacGowan, punters think he will be honoured by The Pogues landing the Christmas number one single this year.
“We make Fairytale of New York odds-on to land the top spot on Christmas Day for the first time.”
The full odds for UK Christmas No 1 are as follows: 1-4 The Pogues, 6-1 Girls Aloud, 5-1 Wham, 10-1 Adele, 10-1 Ed Sheeran, 10-1 Mariah Carey, 12-1 Andrea Bocelli, 12-1 JVKE, 12-1 Taylor Swift, 12-1 Sidemen, 12-1 Sam Ryder, 16-1 The Beatles.
LadBaby, who topped The Beatles with a record-breaking consecutive five years at Christmas No 1, isn’t releasing a charity single this year, so the 1987 duet really is within a chance.
Incredibly Fairytale of New York has never had a UK No 1, being kept from the top spot by the Pet Shop Boys’ cover of Always on My Mind upon its initial release.
Nevertheless, the single has reached the UK Top 20 on 19 separate occasions since its 1987 debut, including every Christmas since 2005. So perhaps 2023 will finally be the year it hits No 1 in honour of MacGowan’s legacy.
In fact, reportedly the Fairytale of New York musical cast are asking everyone in their audiences to download the song and stream it.
