HMV Update/Comment On The Race For The Christmas No 1

LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts) Following on from last week's Official Charts update that The Justice Collective were only a few thousand sales behind James Arthur in the race for the Christmas No.1, HMV can reveal that following yesterday's trading "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" has now managed to reverse this and edge ahead with its own lead of over 3,000 sales. If demand at HMV and other outlets continues at this rate, the single - a cover of the 1969 Hollies classic which has been recorded by the likes of Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Mel C in aid of the Hillsborough Families campaign, could generate upto a quarter of a million sales by the end of the week to top the festive charts.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo, comments on www.top40-charts.com: "The race remains a close one, but with just a few days to go the momentum now appears to be firmly with The Justice Collective. Not surprisingly we're seeing particularly phenomenal demand in Liverpool and the North West, but sales are pretty good elsewhere, which show that the campaign is connecting with people around the rest of the country as well.
In the album charts Emeli Sandé is extending her lead and it now looks highly likely that 'Our Version of Events' will be the official Christmas no.1 album ahead of Olly Murs and Michael Bublé." - Gennaro Castaldo, HMV

HMV's Top 3 Predictions for the official Christmas charts (will be announced Sun 23 Dec on www.top40-charts.com):

Singles
1. The Justice Collective - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
2. James Arthur - Impossible
3. Will.i.am ft. Britney Spears - Scream & Shout

Albums
1. Emeli Sande - Our Version of Events.
2. Olly Murs - Right Place, Right Time
3. Michael Bublé - Christmas