WHAM!’s iconic festive hit Last Christmas has made UK chart history, securing the Christmas Number 1 spot for the second consecutive year. Released in 1984 and celebrating its 40th anniversary, the track becomes the first song ever to achieve two consecutive Christmas Number 1 wins.
A long road to the top
Initially blocked from the top spot in 1984 by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, Last Christmas finally claimed the coveted Number 1 spot in 2023 — completing the longest-ever journey to the top of 39 years. This year, the hit triumphed over fierce competition, including Gracie Abrams, Mariah Carey, and an ambitious bid by Tom Grennan.
Andrew Ridgeley’s reaction
Andrew Ridgeley, WHAM!’s surviving member, expressed his joy at the achievement, saying: “37 years to get to Number 1, 39 years to Christmas Number 1, and then like London buses, they all come along at once!”
Ridgeley added, “George [Michael] would have been utterly delighted. His fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets.”
Dominance on the charts
Last Christmas dominated the charts with 12.6 million streams and strong physical sales of its 40th-anniversary collectibles, including vinyl, picture discs, and CDs. WHAM! now joins the ranks of iconic acts like The Beatles, Queen, and Spice Girls as artists with multiple Christmas Number 1s.
Gracie Abrams’ That’s So True finished at Number 2, while Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You celebrated its 30th anniversary by landing at Number 3.
Tom Grennan’s ambitious bid
Tom Grennan’s festive single, It Can’t Be Christmas, reached Number 4, marking his highest-ever UK charting solo single. Grennan, who even got a tattoo reading “Christmas no.1 2024 is…” in his bid for the top spot, thanked fans for their support, saying: “You are always going to be part of my family and a part of my Christmas dream. I love you all.”
Sabrina Carpenter’s album success
Sabrina Carpenter also celebrated her first Official Christmas Number 1 album with Short N’ Sweet, capping an incredible year for the star.
Official Charts’ statement
Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of Official Charts, hailed WHAM!’s achievement, saying: “It is incredible to think that four years ago, Last Christmas was the biggest-selling single never to hit Number 1. Now, it is the first consecutive Christmas Number 1 in history. It has surely established itself as the British Nation’s all-time favorite Christmas song.”
Talbot also congratulated Sabrina Carpenter on her album’s success, adding: “Her Short N’ Sweet album tops off an incredible year for her.”
