Bing Crosby and V's White Christmas: BTS idol launches Christmas Number 1 bid

Ladies, gentlemen, theys and thems - Christmas Number 1 season is so nearly upon us.

The most wonderful, and often downright bonkers, time of the year has previously seen everyone from Bob The Builder to Band Aid claim the coveted festive chart-topper; and we might already have 2024's most unlikely contenders.

Yep - BTS star V (born Kim Tae-hyung) is collaborating with none other than the late Bing Crosby on a brand-new version of yuletide classic White Christmas, set for release on Friday, December 6.

Incredible scenes.

MORE: When will the 2024 Christmas Number 1 be announced?

Having teased a team-up earlier this week, BTS and Bing Crosby have officially confirmed the collaboration, posting its artwork alongside the caption: "White Christmas - V & Bing Crosby Dec 6, 2PM (KST) | 0AM (ET)."

In case you're wondering who the dog is, that'd be V's beloved Pomeranian, Tannie.

Fans were quick to express their excitement, with one commenting: "HELLOO WE ARE SO READY." "THIS IS GONNA BE SO GOOD PPL," said another.

K-pop idol V previously covered It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas last year; with Bing having released his version of the track in 1951.

In a statement, V said: "I’m so grateful to have had the chance to be featured in a song with my all-time favorite jazz artist, Bing Crosby.

"I grew up listening to his song It’s Been a Long, Long Time countless times a day, and I feel incredibly fortunate and honored to have sung along on White Christmas with the voice of someone I consider an idol."

To date, four festive LPs of Crosby's have charted in the UK: 1974's White Christmas (45), 1991's Christmas With Bing Crosby (66), 2019's Christmas Classics (18) and 2020 compilation The Voice Of Christmas - The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook (67).

Bing's version of White Christmas scored its current Number 5 peak back in 1977.

As a member of BTS alongside Jin, SUGA, j-hope, RN, Jimin and Jung Kook, V's achieved nine Top 40 singles and eight Top 40 albums, including chart-toppers MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA (2019) and MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 (2020).

When will the 2024 Official Christmas Number 1 single be announced?

The 2024 Official Christmas Number 1 will be announced on Friday, December 20. The full Christmas Top 40 will be counted down on BBC Radio 1's The Official Chart with Jack Saunders from 4pm GMT.

The full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Official Christmas Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm GMT on Friday, December 20.

You can stay up to date with all the latest Christmas Number 1 news here on Official Charts.