Wham! hit Last Christmas tops vote for song to mark start of festive season

Wham!'s classic hit Last Christmas has been crowned the UK's favourite festive tune, according to a poll by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).

The survey asked 2,000 adults about their preferred songs or pieces of music to kick off the holiday season this year. The 1980s ballad by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley was the top choice for 40% of respondents. Following closely in second place were The Pogues with Fairytale Of New York and Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, both securing 36% of the vote.

Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You came third, while Silent Night, Michael Buble’s It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas and Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas shared fourth place. Bing Crosby's timeless White Christmas secured the next spot on the chart.

Huw Davies, deputy managing director at the RPO, commented: "For decades, December has been a time of year when rock and pop acts across the UK aspire to secure the coveted Christmas number one position in the charts."

He added: "Our poll on the nation’s favourite Christmas music also reminds us of the timeless appeal of the hymns, religious and choral music that have a special place in people’s hearts."