A record number of Christmas songs made it into the top 40 singles chart during 2020, with many appearing earlier than ever, analysis has found.
Of the current top 40, a total of 26 have a festive theme – the highest proportion for any Christmas chart in history.
The previous record was 16 out of 40, in 2017.
Eight of the current top 10 are seasonal hits, including All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey (number 2), Last Christmas by Wham! (3) and Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens (7).
(PA Graphics)
This year also saw the earliest appearance in the top 40 for a festive song.
All I Want For Christmas Is You entered the chart on November 20 – five weeks before Christmas week.
From Teatro Regio di Parma Opera House in Italy
Watch an Exclusive Clip HERE of Bocelli and his 8-Year-Old Daughter Virginia Perform Their Show-Stopping Rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah BELOW
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE Shore Fire Media
Saturday night’s (Dec 12th) livestream performance by Andrea Bocelli has become the most successful online ticketed classical events of all time.
Performing from the illustrious surroundings of the Teatro Regio di Parma opera house in Italy, the world-renowned Italian tenor sold more than 70,000 tickets for his spectacular Believe In Christmas show to a global audience from 120 different countries.
The concert featured special guests including Zucchero Fornaciari, Ceclia Bartoli, Clara Barbier Serrano and Bocelli’s 8-year-old daughter Virginia - making her first ever public performance - alongside a full orchestral accompaniment. The one-off event’s ornate visuals were provided by creative director