Christmas No 1 tops Cliff's list for Santa
Cliff Richard is to take on retro rockers The Darkness for the Christmas number one, he announced today.
The star – who notched up three previous festive chart-toppers – is to take on the band that time forgot with the track Santa’s List from his new festive album Cliff At Christmas.
In an interview with GMTV to be broadcast tomorrow, he told presenter Ben Shephard he had high hopes of hitting the top – but would make do with number two.
Richard said: “I found a song that’s never been recorded before so you won’t have heard it until I release it as a single, it’s called Santa’s List.
“Obviously I like my singles, but only time will tell whether or not it’ll be number one at Christmas.
“It’s impossible to tell these days. And if someone’s got a better record, I’ll have to be number two.”
The Darkness announced their plan to compete for the coveted spot earlier this week, hoping to relive the glory days when rock acts like Slade and Queen had the Christmas number one.
They are pinning their hopes on a track called (Christmas Time) Don’t Let The Bells End.
Guitarist Dan Hawkins said: “It’s a masterpiece – a true work of art that will be around for years to come.”
Cliff topped the charts at Christmas in 1960, 1988 and 1990.
His last spell at the top over the festive period was with Savour’s Day, whose writer has co-penned the new song.
Sir Cliff had hoped for the Christmas number one in 1999 with The Millennium Prayer but lost out to Westlife.
GMTV took Sir Cliff to meet fans camping out at the Royal Albert Hall waiting to get tickets for his concerts next year.
He will release his single on December 8.
