YouTube favourite LadBaby is leading the race for Christmas number one with a “strong lead” over Mariah Carey, the Official Charts Company has revealed.
The star, real name Mark Hoyle, is heading the provisional rankings with Don’t Stop Me Eatin’, putting him on course for his third festive number one in three years.
The song is raising money for food bank charity the Trussell Trust.
The Official Charts Company said in a statement that LadBaby “retains a strong lead” over his rivals ahead of Friday’s unveiling of the Christmas number one.
LadBaby said he was up against “megastars” and there was a lot of competition. Asked how he will celebrate if he tops the chart for a third time, LadBaby said he would have “sausage rolls and champagne, probably”.
“We will be celebrating no matter where we finish because it has been an incredible opportunity and honour to try and go for it again,” he added.
US superstar Carey is second in the provisional rankings with All I Want For Christmas Is You, which earlier this month topped the UK singles chart for the first time, 26 years after its release.
Last Christmas by Wham! is third, and Jess Glynne’s cover of Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas is fourth. Sir Paul McCartney is on course to land the album chart top spot at Christmas with McCartney III.
