The Christmas No.1 Race Is On But Check Out These Festive No.2 Shockers...

It might shock you to find out that The X Factor winner's single hasn't always been the focus of the UK Christmas No.1 race. In fact they've only managed it six times. This weekend's winner Ben Haenow however will be set on making it a lucky number seven, but with competition from Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars, The Peace Collective , an Iron Maiden campaign, and even Band Aid 30 who could have another late surge, it could be anyone's.

Not only that, audio streams were introduced for the first time this year so The Pogues or Mariah Carey, who've crept into the Top 20 this week, might surprise us all!

Last year Sam Bailey wrestled back the XF yuletide glory, but will Ben Haenow carry the torch in 2014? Find out this Sunday by following @MTVMusicUK on Twitter, BUT in the meantime check out some of the past UK Christmas No.1 singles in our playlist below...

..and check out these shockers, below, that missed out on the festive cheer of being the UK's xmas chart toppers featuring Pharrell Williams' Happy (before it went stratospheric) and Mariah's All I Want For Christmas Is You (I KNOW!).

Merry Christmas everyone!