Superstar Jorja Smith from Walsall up against Slade and Sooty for Christmas Number One

Internet personality LadBaby has officially stood down, following their record-breaking streak of five chart-topping festive singles.

The official Christmas number one is a British institution and has previously been secured by musical talent that includes The Beatles, Spice Girls, Boney M and Ed Sheeran.

Every year a host of classic Christmas songs re-enter the charts, meaning festive tracks such as Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody or Last Christmas from Wham! could make it to number one.

Other festive tracks known to climb the singles chart in December include Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl, Sir Elton John's Step Into Christmas and Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.

A number of new Christmas-themed releases could out shine the classics, however.

R&B singer Smith, 26, who recently released her album Falling Or Flying, has come out with a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day.

The original song wasn't first intended as a Christmas hit, but became one after sleigh bells were added.

Smith, who went to Aldridge School and was spotted as a 15-year-old after posting music videos on YouTube, has given the song a contemporary twist and it is expected to get plenty of air play, essential if a track is to succeed in the modern chart based on plans and downloads.

Cher's DJ Play A Christmas Song is in the mix as is Andrea Bocelli's Festa, which features in the 2023 John Lewis Christmas advert.

Other contenders include English singer Mimi Webb, who recently released Back Home For Christmas, while American pop band One Republic has come out with a single called Dear Santa.

Elsewhere, Eurovision star Sam Ryder has released a festive original called You're Christmas To Me.

Meanwhile, charity singles in the running include a cover of The Nolans titled I'm In The Mood For Christmas from Sooty the glove puppet; I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday from Rock Choir; and Nala the Station Cat with Check Meowt.

Chief executive of the Official Charts Company Martin Talbot said: "With LadBaby stepping back after five years as winners, this year's race looks as open as ever.

"Aside from the Sleaford Mods' cover of West End Girls for Shelter, Sooty is batting on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital, a Rock Choir is raising money for Cash for Kids, and we even have a trance pussycat called Nala supporting the homeless and the RSPCA.

"Plus, of course, there will be a range of classics, arguably led this year by Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody, celebrating its 50th anniversary. What a Christmas chart race it is going to be."

The run-up will start on December 15 through to 23.59pm on December 21 – and the winner of 2023's official Christmas number one will be announced on December 22 live on BBC Radio 1's The Official Chart.

The full top 100 official Christmas singles chart and albums chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm.