Well done to the ladies...
from MSN
All bets off for Christmas number one
With Ladbrokes suspending betting and Simon Cowell appearing to admit defeat via Twitter, it seems this year's Christmas number one is in the bag for the Military Wives…
For the second time in three years, it looks like the Christmas number one won't be going to the winner of X Factor.
Gareth Malone's choir, brought together on the BBC2 series, have released a single, Wherever You Are, inspired by letters to and from their soldier husbands which will raise money for forces' charities.
Ladbrokes have just closed the book on them as 1/20 favourites ahead of X Factor winners and current chart-toppers Little Mix at 8/1.
Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "As far as punters are concerned it's a done deal. The money says the Military Wives will deservedly get this year's Christmas number one."
The choir, who have been backed by figures such as Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, performed at this year's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and at the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals.
Unlike three years ago when he branded the campaign to get Rage Against The Machine to the top ahead of Joe McElderry 'pathetic', Simon Cowell has been publicly gracious in defeat, congratulating the Military Wives via Twitter and calling their song "a worthy Christmas No.1".
Hope there is no last minute rush for the other titles
Edited to add - PPRuNe in that quoted should actually read a well know social network where you can use 140 characters to pass on a message (Twit...er... you didn't think Cowell would come here and say that?). It was auto changed....