British music fans celebrate an ‘anarchy Christmas miracle’

LONDON – For decades, speculating on who will top the music charts on Christmas Day has been as much a part of the holiday build-up for many Brits as decorating the tree or wondering if there will be a white Christmas. 

There’s endless discussion in the media, bookmakers offer bets on the outcome and people gather around the office water cooler discussing what song they think will win the  much-coveted number one prize. 

However in recent years, the game has been somewhat spoiled. For the past five years, the song released by the winner of the popular British talent show the “X-Factor,” a TV show as popular as “American Idol” in the U.S., has topped the chart.

With guaranteed TV exposure and the guiding hand of the show’s omnipotent host Simon Cowell, the ballad (it’s always a ballad) sung by a pretty face, inevitably outsells all its rivals.

This year it seemed no different as Joe McElderry, an angelic-looking 18-year-old with a toothy smile who has been favorably compared to the American actor Zac Efron, released his song, “The Climb.” It’s the kind of soaring ballad that could provide the soundtrack for many a Disney film.

Music fans however said enough was enough and launched an Internet campaign to end The “X-Factor” and Cowell’s dominance over the Christmas charts. 

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