You scumbag, you maggot: Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' contender for Christmas number one

Plus the ten best Christmas songs in pictures

Festive favourite "The Fairytale Of New York" is back in the charts 25 years after it was first released.

The song by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, which is regularly reissued ahead of Christmas, has made more than half a dozen appearances in the charts but never been number one.

Projected sales figures from the Official Charts Company show it moving 15 places up to number 38 - making it the eighth year in a row it has made the Top 40.

Click here or on "View Images" to see the ten best Christmas songs in pictures

The figures also show that Olly Murs is expected to top the single and album charts this weekend.

His single Troublemaker is expected to hold on to the top spot, while his album Right Place, Right Time, is outselling One Direction's Take Me Home by more than two to one.

Other contenders for the top five spots in the singles charts are Bruno Mars, Robbie Williams and Rihanna.

PA